Effects of heat treatments and Sn, Ga and In additives on mechanical properties of 35Ag-30Pd-20Au-15Cu alloy.

The mechanical properties of six 35Ag-30Pd-20Au-15Cu alloys containing different contents (2% and 4%) of Sn, Ga, or In and a 35Ag-30Pd-20Au-15Cu alloy without additives were evaluated. These alloys were subjected to four different heat treatments before a mechanical test. The distribution of the elements and their contents were analyzed. The mechanical properties of 35Ag-30Pd-20Au-15Cu alloy changed in wide-ranging ways with different heat treatments and with different additive contents. The effects of heat treatment on tensile strength and hardness significantly varied with different additives and their contents. These different changes could be attributed to the formation of different phases in these alloys. Based on the high strength and wide-ranging changes in the mechanical properties when subjected to softening and hardening heat treatments, the 2% Sn-added, 2% In-added, and 4% Ga-added alloys can be recommended for different dental restorations such as crown & bridges, inlays, and denture frameworks.