EP0938940B1 - A process for treating the surface of articles made of titanium and alloys thereof - Google Patents
A process for treating the surface of articles made of titanium and alloys thereof Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0938940B1 EP0938940B1 EP19980102510 EP98102510A EP0938940B1 EP 0938940 B1 EP0938940 B1 EP 0938940B1 EP 19980102510 EP19980102510 EP 19980102510 EP 98102510 A EP98102510 A EP 98102510A EP 0938940 B1 EP0938940 B1 EP 0938940B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- sealed vessel
- neutral atmosphere
- vessel under
- cast device
- titanium
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
- C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
- C23C8/00—Solid state diffusion of only non-metal elements into metallic material surfaces; Chemical surface treatment of metallic material by reaction of the surface with a reactive gas, leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, e.g. conversion coatings, passivation of metals
- C23C8/06—Solid state diffusion of only non-metal elements into metallic material surfaces; Chemical surface treatment of metallic material by reaction of the surface with a reactive gas, leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, e.g. conversion coatings, passivation of metals using gases
- C23C8/08—Solid state diffusion of only non-metal elements into metallic material surfaces; Chemical surface treatment of metallic material by reaction of the surface with a reactive gas, leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, e.g. conversion coatings, passivation of metals using gases only one element being applied
- C23C8/24—Nitriding
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C23—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
- C23C—COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL BY DIFFUSION INTO THE SURFACE, BY CHEMICAL CONVERSION OR SUBSTITUTION; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL
- C23C8/00—Solid state diffusion of only non-metal elements into metallic material surfaces; Chemical surface treatment of metallic material by reaction of the surface with a reactive gas, leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, e.g. conversion coatings, passivation of metals
- C23C8/06—Solid state diffusion of only non-metal elements into metallic material surfaces; Chemical surface treatment of metallic material by reaction of the surface with a reactive gas, leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, e.g. conversion coatings, passivation of metals using gases
- C23C8/08—Solid state diffusion of only non-metal elements into metallic material surfaces; Chemical surface treatment of metallic material by reaction of the surface with a reactive gas, leaving reaction products of surface material in the coating, e.g. conversion coatings, passivation of metals using gases only one element being applied
- C23C8/10—Oxidising
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25D—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS; ELECTROFORMING; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25D11/00—Electrolytic coating by surface reaction, i.e. forming conversion layers
- C25D11/02—Anodisation
- C25D11/26—Anodisation of refractory metals or alloys based thereon
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a process for treating under a controlled atmosphere the surface of pieces or articles made of titanium and alloys thereof or similar metals.
- the articles are preferably formed through lost-wax casting, particularly for use in prosthetic dentistry, orthodontics and the like.
- titanium has peculiar properties such as the affinity with O 2 and H, and becomes easily oxidated at high temperature regardless of the O 2 partial pressure.
- a casting process for producing castings by melting titanium with a vacuum arc in a copper, water-cooled crucible is disclosed in M.J. Donachie: "Titanium - A Technical Guide” 1988, ASM, Metals Park, Ohio, US.
- GB 2 244 019 and GB 2 244 019 disclose a method for casting of dental metals with a casting apparatus comprising an hermetically sealed casting chamber under inert gas atmosphere.
- FR 2695581 discloses a treatment of an oxidation-sensitive metal carried out in isolated surroundings. It consists of introducing the metal into these surroundings, producing a partial vacuum, melting the metal, introducing the melt into a mould, and letting it solidify. The surroundings, after they have been set under a partial vacuum, are flushed by means of an inert gas.
- all the operations required to obtain a finished article are accomplished under a neutral and controlled atmosphere in a single apparatus so as to obtain a finished piece that is protected by a strongly adhering film and has a fine appearence before being transferred to a normal atmosphere and then in the oral cavity environment.
- the piece is then subjected to anodic oxidation or nitriding in an ammonia atmosphere, which allows the properly forming of a protective coating of oxide or nitride having an adherence strength to the piece in the order of 1,400 kg/mm 2 .
- Such apparatus substantially comprises a sealed vessel 1 provided with a transparent cover so that all the operating steps can be visually checked and controlled, and provided with introflexed rubber gloves for manipulating the articles.
- the apparatus is further provided with a bottle of an inert gas and an associated pressure reducing valve; it is further provided with a vacuum pump and a Getter device 3 adapted to cause a quick and complete oxidation of the metal contained within the apparatus, thus removing all the residual O 2 molecules within the sealed vessel 1.
- the sealed vessel 1 further houses a high temperature cylinder 5 where the article is cast, a tank 7 containing a liquid bath (e.g. oil) in which the article can be quenched, and an arm 6 for removing the article from the cylinder 5 and dipping it into the oil bath of the tank 7 where it is quenched in absence of contaminants.
- a liquid bath e.g. oil
- a finishing station 9 (cooling area), a sandblasting station 11 and a pickling station 13.
- an additional (if required) station 15 for mechanically polishing the article there are contained an additional (if required) station 15 for mechanically polishing the article, a station 17 for (micro) welding operations and a station (not shown) for spot-welding operations. All the above mentioned operations of polishing and welding are carried out in the neutral atmosphere.
- the vessel 1 further contains an anodic oxidation device 19 an a device 21 for nitriding the article in an ammonia atmosphere.
- an oxide coating or a nitride coating is formed on the surface of the article 23 or 25, such a coating having an adhesion force (cohesion) comprised between 1,000 and 2,000 kg/mm 2 , and preferably in the order of 1,400 kg/mm 2 .
- the article 23 (or 25) can be exposed to the atmosphere or to contaminants without the risk of being subjected to further undesided chemical or chemical-physical reactions, either on the surface or in the body of the article.
- Such qualities are for example a pink coloring when the article has to blend with the gengival mucosa or a milk coloring when the orthodontic devices are located on the enamel of natural dental crowns.
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Metallurgy (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- Solid-Phase Diffusion Into Metallic Material Surfaces (AREA)
- Apparatus For Disinfection Or Sterilisation (AREA)
- Dental Tools And Instruments Or Auxiliary Dental Instruments (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to a process for treating under a controlled atmosphere the surface of pieces or articles made of titanium and alloys thereof or similar metals. The articles are preferably formed through lost-wax casting, particularly for use in prosthetic dentistry, orthodontics and the like.
- It is well known that titanium has peculiar properties such as the affinity with O2 and H, and becomes easily oxidated at high temperature regardless of the O2 partial pressure.
- Therefore the casting using the conventional lost wax method requires to operate under a neutral atmosphere (of argon or other noble gases).
- Today there are marketed automatic apparatuses equipped with an electric arc for melting the material and adapted to pour the molten titanium into a casting cylinder under a neutral atmosphere, such as an inert gas.
- These apparatuses are satisfactory but their diffusion is rather limited because of the plant high costs and the (currently) limited request since at present the specialized workshops only supplies "passivated" pieces, i.e. pieces that have been subjected to a passivation surface treatment that is completely inadequate.
- In fact such a passivation is decisely questionable from an aesthetic viewpoint since it imparts a dark and dull greysh appearance to the article; as a matter of fact it involves a deep ossidation that is without aesthetic quality.
- The poor biocompatibility of gold and alloys thereof, as well as that of Cr, Co, Ag and Ga alloys, and other metals presently used in the prosthetic devices and in devices for correcting defects to be used in the oral cavity has been strongly objected.
- It is therefore desirable to provide the medical operators with viable alternatives to the use of gold, cromium-cobalt and also the so called "surgical" steel that until today has accounted for most of the materials used in the field of dental prosthesis, orthodontic correction and implantation under the periosteum.
- As already mentioned there are known apparatuses for casting titanium articles under a neutral atmosphere by using an electric arc for melting the material and using zirconium oxide as a coating of the casting cylinder. Although the results are generally acceptable, such known process is carried out after the melting and with the cylinder full of molten metal which is is not recommendable. The temperature of the cylinder is high, about 800°C, and it is not convenient to open the melting and casting macchine to extract the cylinder and drop it into water, thus renouncing to the controlled atmosphere. This way one achieves a quenching of the metal with a simultaneous (deep or superficial) oxidation of the article, and a strong hydrogen contamination, which renders the article brittle and causes the formation of surface oxides of a dark grey color that are aesthetically very unpleasant (passivation).
- A casting process for producing castings by melting titanium with a vacuum arc in a copper, water-cooled crucible is disclosed in M.J. Donachie: "Titanium - A Technical Guide" 1988, ASM, Metals Park, Ohio, US.
- Oxidizing and nitriding of titanium for improving strengthening and protection against wear in known from "ASM Handbook, 10th Ed., Vol.5, Surface Engineering" 1994, ASM International, Metals Park, Ohio, US.
- GB 2 244 019 and GB 2 244 019 disclose a method for casting of dental metals with a casting apparatus comprising an hermetically sealed casting chamber under inert gas atmosphere.
- FR 2695581 discloses a treatment of an oxidation-sensitive metal carried out in isolated surroundings. It consists of introducing the metal into these surroundings, producing a partial vacuum, melting the metal, introducing the melt into a mould, and letting it solidify. The surroundings, after they have been set under a partial vacuum, are flushed by means of an inert gas.
- An example of an apparatus for casting of metals such as titanium and alloys thereof is disclosed in GB 732298.
- It is the object of the present invention to overcome the above drawbacks by providing an improved process for the surface treatment of articles made of titanium and alloys thereof.
- This object is achieved through a process as claimed in
claim 1. - According to the invention all the operations required to obtain a finished article are accomplished under a neutral and controlled atmosphere in a single apparatus so as to obtain a finished piece that is protected by a strongly adhering film and has a fine appearence before being transferred to a normal atmosphere and then in the oral cavity environment.
- The piece is then subjected to anodic oxidation or nitriding in an ammonia atmosphere, which allows the properly forming of a protective coating of oxide or nitride having an adherence strength to the piece in the order of 1,400 kg/mm2.
- The process of the invention will now be disclosed in detail with particular reference to the attached drawing showing a block diagram of an apparatus adapted to carry out the process.
- Such apparatus substantially comprises a sealed
vessel 1 provided with a transparent cover so that all the operating steps can be visually checked and controlled, and provided with introflexed rubber gloves for manipulating the articles. - The apparatus is further provided with a bottle of an inert gas and an associated pressure reducing valve; it is further provided with a vacuum pump and a
Getter device 3 adapted to cause a quick and complete oxidation of the metal contained within the apparatus, thus removing all the residual O2 molecules within the sealedvessel 1. - The sealed
vessel 1 further houses ahigh temperature cylinder 5 where the article is cast, a tank 7 containing a liquid bath (e.g. oil) in which the article can be quenched, and anarm 6 for removing the article from thecylinder 5 and dipping it into the oil bath of the tank 7 where it is quenched in absence of contaminants. - Within the
vessel 1 of the apparatus there are further provided a finishing station 9 (cooling area), asandblasting station 11 and apickling station 13. - Although the risk of contaminating the quenched article is very small, nevertheless according to the invention all the subsequent steps of finishing (9), sandblasting (11) and pickling (13) are accomplished under the neutral environment provided in
vessel 1. - Within the
vessel 1 there are contained an additional (if required)station 15 for mechanically polishing the article, astation 17 for (micro) welding operations and a station (not shown) for spot-welding operations. All the above mentioned operations of polishing and welding are carried out in the neutral atmosphere. - The
vessel 1 further contains ananodic oxidation device 19 an a device 21 for nitriding the article in an ammonia atmosphere. Through these operations either an oxide coating or a nitride coating is formed on the surface of thearticle
Claims (8)
- A process for obtaining prosthetic devices in titanium or alloys thereof to be used in the oral cavity, said process comprising the steps of:providing a sealed vessel;obtaining a neutral atmosphere in said sealed vessel by means of a inert gas, a vacuum pump and a Getter device, said Getter device comprising a metal adapted to cause a quick and complete oxidation thus removing substantially all the residual O2 molecules within the sealed vessel;forming a prosthetic device in a high temperature casting cylinder in said sealed vessel under the neutral atmosphere so obtained;dipping said cast device into a quenching bath in said sealed vessel under the same neutral atmosphere, thereby provoking the quenching of the cast device in said sealed vessel under the same neutral atmosphere;subsequently subjecting said cast device to anodic oxidation in said sealed vessel under the same neutral atmosphere, thereby forming a protective coating on the surface of said cast device.
- A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inert gas is a noble gas, preferably argon.
- A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said device is formed in said high temperature casting cylinder through lost wax casting.
- A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the temperature of said casting cylinder is of about 800°C.
- A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said liquid bath is an oil bath.
- A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein such coating has an adhesion force (cohesion) comprised between 1000 kg/mm2 and 2000 kg/mm2, and preferably in the order of 1400 kg/mm2.
- A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said process further comprises the steps of finishing, sandblasting and pickling the cast device, all these further operations being carried out in said sealed vessel under said neutral atmosphere.
- A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said process further comprises the steps of polishing and/or welding the cast device, all these further operations being carried out in said sealed vessel under said neutral atmosphere.
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE69817320T DE69817320T2 (en) | 1998-02-13 | 1998-02-13 | Process for the surface treatment of workpieces made of titanium and titanium alloys |
EP19980102510 EP0938940B1 (en) | 1998-02-13 | 1998-02-13 | A process for treating the surface of articles made of titanium and alloys thereof |
ES98102510T ES2205290T3 (en) | 1998-02-13 | 1998-02-13 | PROCESS TO TREAT THE SURFACE OF ARTICLES MADE OF TITANIUM AND ITS ALLOYS. |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP19980102510 EP0938940B1 (en) | 1998-02-13 | 1998-02-13 | A process for treating the surface of articles made of titanium and alloys thereof |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0938940A1 EP0938940A1 (en) | 1999-09-01 |
EP0938940B1 true EP0938940B1 (en) | 2003-08-20 |
Family
ID=8231401
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19980102510 Expired - Lifetime EP0938940B1 (en) | 1998-02-13 | 1998-02-13 | A process for treating the surface of articles made of titanium and alloys thereof |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0938940B1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69817320T2 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2205290T3 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN111455427A (en) * | 2020-05-26 | 2020-07-28 | 东莞金稞电子科技有限公司 | Gradual change treatment process for sand surface and high gloss surface of aluminum alloy surface |
Family Cites Families (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB732298A (en) * | 1952-05-03 | 1955-06-22 | Nat Lead Co | Apparatus for casting refractory metals |
JP2912940B2 (en) * | 1990-05-18 | 1999-06-28 | 株式会社ジーシー | Dental metal casting method |
JP2912941B2 (en) * | 1990-05-18 | 1999-06-28 | 株式会社ジーシー | Dental metal casting method |
IT1257103B (en) * | 1992-09-16 | 1996-01-05 | PROCESSING PROCESS OF METAL MATERIALS IN A CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE. |
-
1998
- 1998-02-13 DE DE69817320T patent/DE69817320T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1998-02-13 ES ES98102510T patent/ES2205290T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-02-13 EP EP19980102510 patent/EP0938940B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN111455427A (en) * | 2020-05-26 | 2020-07-28 | 东莞金稞电子科技有限公司 | Gradual change treatment process for sand surface and high gloss surface of aluminum alloy surface |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
DE69817320T2 (en) | 2004-06-17 |
EP0938940A1 (en) | 1999-09-01 |
DE69817320D1 (en) | 2003-09-25 |
ES2205290T3 (en) | 2004-05-01 |
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