Mechanical properties of cast commercially pure titanium simulating ceramic firing cycles.

AIM To evaluate the mechanical properties (ultimate tensile strength, elongation and hardness) of the commercially pure titanium (cp Ti) as casting and after ceramic firing cycles. MATERIALS AND METHODS Dumbbell-shaped specimens were prepared for the tensile strength testing. Disk-shaped cast specimens were used for microhardness testing. The ceramic firing cycles were made simulating a low fusion ceramic application. Tensile testing was conducted in a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min until failure. Ultimate tensile strength and elongation were recorded. The fracture mode was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Vickers hardness was measured in a hardness tester. The data from the tensile and hardness tests were subjected to a one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). RESULTS The mean values of tensile strength were not changed by the ceramic firing cycles. Lower hardness was observed for cp Ti as casting compared with Ti cast after the firing cycles. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The ceramic firing cycles did not show any considerable prejudicial effects on the mechanical properties of the cp Ti.