[Reactions at the nonprecious metal-ceramic interface during porcelain firing (2). A commercial alloy containing higher Cr and Si].

To clarify the interface reaction between porcelain and a commercial Ni-Cr dental alloy (containing higher Cr and Si) during porcelain firing, electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA), X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence analysis have been used to characterize the interface which has emerged by means of selective dissolution of the alloy caused by a bromine-methanol solution. At the early stage of firing, tin oxides (SnO2), contained in the porcelain powder, were reduced to Sn metal and the resultant reduction layer was about 10 microns in thickness from the interface. Although in the beginning of firing some Cr oxides were formed at the interface, with increasing retention time (within a few minutes) at 960 degrees C, extremely low oxygen partial pressure caused reduction of even such products.