Evaluation of soldered connectors of two base metal ceramic alloys.

Soldered connectors for two base metal ceramic alloys (nickel-chromium and cobalt-chromium) were compared by use of four different techniques: (1) infrared preceramic soldering, (2) gas and oxygen preceramic soldering, (3) porcelain furnace postsoldering under vacuum, and (4) porcelain furnace postsoldering without vacuum. A control group was established with solid cast specimens of each alloy. No statistically significant difference was noted between infrared and torch preceramic soldering techniques for either of the two alloys. However, the joints postsoldered under vacuum were significantly superior to postsoldered connectors without vacuum (p < 0.0001). No significant differences were observed among techniques 1, 2, and 3, although the three groups were substantially superior to technique 4 for both alloys (p = 0.05). The control group for both alloys was appreciably stronger than the soldered groups (p < 0.0001), and the nickel-chromium samples within the control group were significantly stronger than the Co-Cr samples.