A new dental superalloy system. II. Mechanical properties.

Theoretical considerations that lead to the design of strong and ductile cobalt (Co)base alloys were discussed in part I of this series of articles.' It was hypothesized that the composition 40 Co-30 nickel (Ni)-30 chromium (Cr) is an acceptable compromise for the requirements of an alloy base. It also was found that tantalum (Ta) may have the qualities that are acceptable for an additional element; it reacts with Co to form intermetallic compounds that should produce a strong and ductile alloy. The purpose of this investigation was to test the validity of this hypotheses. Alloys that were designed according to the ideas presented in part I were prepared and the mechanical properties of these alloys were tested.