Preliminary study on some properties of Co-Cr dental alloy formed by selective laser melting technique

The surface condition, some properties and ion releasing behavior of cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) dental alloy formed by selective laser melting (SLM) technique were investigated. Before porcelain fused firing, the surface condition of the Co-Cr alloy was observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and then the density and hardness were examined. After porcelain fused firing, the interface of porcelain and alloy was observed, and then the metal-ion release of the samples was tested. SLM technique provides Co-Cr alloy higher hardness than casting method. After degassing-oxidation procedure and porcelain fused firing, the interface of the alloy and porcelain showed excellent combination. Co ion was more than Cr ion released from SLM Co-Cr alloy, the amounts of Co and Cr ions were safe according to ISO security criterion. Considering the properties before and after porcelain fused sintering process, SLM technique is suitable for dental Co-Cr alloy restoration.