Hardening behavior after high-temperature solution treatment of Ag-20Pd-12Au-xCu alloys with different Cu contents for dental prosthetic restorations

Ag-Pd-Au-Cu alloys have been used widely for dental prosthetic applications. Significant enhancement of the mechanical properties of the Ag-20Pd-12Au-14.5Cu alloy as a result of the precipitation of the β' phase through high-temperature solution treatment (ST), which is different from conventional aging treatment in these alloys, has been reported. The relationship between the unique hardening behavior and precipitation of the β' phase in Ag-20Pd-12Au- xCu alloys (x=6.5, 13, 14.5, 17, and 20. mass%) subjected to the high-temperature ST at 1123. K for 3.6. ks was investigated in this study. Unique hardening behavior after the high-temperature ST also occurs in Ag-20Pd-12Au- xCu alloys (x=13, 17, and 20) with precipitation of the β' phase. However, hardening is not observed and the β' phase does not precipitate in the Ag-20Pd-12Au-6.5Cu alloy after the same ST. The tensile strength and 0.2% proof stress also increase in Ag-20Pd-12Au- xCu alloys (x=13, 14.5, 17, and 20) after the high-temperature ST. In addition, these values after the high-temperature ST increase with increasing Cu content in Ag-20Pd-12Au- xCu alloys (x=14.5, 17, and 20). The formation process of the β' phase can be explained in terms of diffusion of Ag and Cu atoms and precipitation of the β' phase. Clarification of the relationship between hardening and precipitation of the β' phase via high-temperature ST is expected to help the development of more effective heat treatments for hardening in Ag-20Pd-12Au- xCu alloys.