High strain rate metalworking with vaporizing foil actuator: control of flyer velocity by varying input energy and foil thickness.

Electrically driven rapid vaporization of thin metallic foils can generate a high pressure which can be used to launch flyers at high velocities. Recently, vaporizing foil actuators have been applied toward a variety of impulse-based metal working operations. In order to exercise control over this useful tool, it is imperative that an understanding of the effect of characteristics of the foil actuator on its ability for mechanical impulse generation is developed.

An initial study of diffusion bonds between superplastic Ti-6Al-4V for implant dentistry applications.

Statement Of Problem: Production of precisely fitting fixed partial denture implant superstructures with titanium alloys is limited by casting techniques that introduce distortion. After alignment of the framework with existing implants, the remaining misfit may generate stresses that cause screw loosening and adversely affect the implant/bone interface.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to prepare diffusion-bonded joints between superplastic (SP) Ti-6Al-4V plates and indenters (representing analogs to implant-supported fixed frameworks and abutments) and determine if this process has potential for producing strong, dimensionally precise prostheses.

Fatigue limits and SEM/TEM observations of fracture characteristics for three Pd-Ag dental casting alloys.

The fatigue limits and fracture characteristics for three Pd-Ag dental casting alloys (Super Star, Heraeus Kulzer; Rx 91, Pentron; W-1, Ivoclar Vivadent) were studied. Specimens meeting the dimensions for ADA Specifications No. 5 and 38, and having the as-cast surface condition, were subjected to heat treatment simulating dental porcelain firing cycles and fatigued in air at room temperature under uniaxial tension-compression at 10 Hz.

Vickers hardness investigation of work-hardening in used NiTi rotary instruments.

A contributing mechanism for clinical failure of NiTi rotary instruments might be excessive work hardening. Vickers hardness was measured with 300 gm load near the flutes in three regions (D2-D4, D6-D10, and D14 towards the shank) for nine representative clinically used ProFile GT instruments that had been axially sectioned (10 measurements in each region). Consistent values could not be obtained at D1.

Bending fatigue study of nickel-titanium Gates Glidden drills.

ProFile nickel-titanium Gates Glidden drills were tested in bending fatigue to simulate clinical conditions. Ten samples each in sizes #1 through #6 were placed in a device that deflected the drill head 4 mm from the axis. The drill head was placed inside a ball bearing fixture, which allowed it to run free at 4000 rpm, and the total number of revolutions was recorded until failure.

SEM observations of nickel-titanium rotary endodontic instruments that fractured during clinical Use.

Numerous discarded ProFile GT, ProFile, and ProTaper nickel-titanium rotary instruments obtained from two graduate endodontic clinics were examined by scanning electron microscopy. These instruments had an unknown history of clinical use and had fractured or experienced considerable permanent torsional deformation without complete separation. The failure processes generally exhibited substantial ductile character, evidenced by a dimpled rupture fracture surface.

Proposed role of embedded dentin chips for the clinical failure of nickel-titanium rotary instruments.

Discarded ProFile and ProTaper nickel-titanium rotary instruments, with unknown history of clinical use, were obtained from graduate endodontic clinics at Ohio State University and University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Dental Branch. These discarded instruments and as-received instruments of both types were examined with a scanning electron microscope to investigate effects of clinical use and causes of failure. For used ProTaper instruments, dentinal debris was wedged mostly in narrow, radial, land-type regions and less on convex flute surfaces.