Corrosion properties of soldered joints. Part II: Corrosion pattern of dental solder and dental nickel-chromium alloy.

Six nickel-chromium (Ni-Cr) alloys joined with two solders were evaluated for degree of corrosion after they were immersed in corrosive solution for 100 days. The corroded surface of the Ni-Cr alloy and the cross section of the soldered joint were observed and the solution of nickel and copper (Cu) ions in each combination was measured. No corrosion was observed in the high-resistant Ni-Cr alloys with high Cr content. Pitting corrosion was seen on low-resistant Ni-Cr alloys, which had less Cr content. In the cross section of the joint, the joint of silver solder became porous by corrosion and the corrosion advanced especially along the interface. Solution of Ni ions was detected in all of the combinations of Ni-Cr alloys and solders with exception of the combination of high-resistant Ni-Cr alloys and gold solder. On the other hand, solution of Cu ions was detected in all of the combinations with silver solder.