Steel and Wrought Alloys

Lecture # 27
 Introduction
Steel
 is an alloy of iron and carbon in which the
carbon content is less than 2 %.

 Greater quantities of carbon produce a very

brittle alloy which is unsuitable for cold
working. (Mechanical shaping of the metals at relatively low
temperature, taking advantage of high value of the ductility and
malleability).

 In the solid state steel can be adopted to

different structures depending on carbon
content and temp.
 Introduction cont’d
 Above 723 oC an interstitial
solid solution of carbon in a
face-centered cubic iron matrix,
is formed called austenite (a).
 This osolution is unstable below
723 C (critical temp.) and
breaks down to form two
phases.
First Phase:
 consist of a very dilute solid
solution of carbon in iron (up to
0.02 %) called ferite.
 It is a relatively soft and ductile
material.
 Introduction cont’d
Second phase:
 is a specific compound of
iron and carbon with
formula Fe3C, called
Cementite.

 It is a very hard and

brittle material.

 The mixture of ferrite and

cementite is termed as
pearlite.
 Eutectoid Alloy
 An alloy containing 0.8 % carbon is known
as the eutectoid alloy.

Hypereutectoid Alloys
 Alloys with greater concentrations of
carbon are called hypereutectoid alloys.

 These alloys contain relatively greater

amounts of cementites.

 These alloys are commonly used to

produce cutting instruments such as burs.
 Eutectoid Alloy cont’d
 Hypoeutectoid Alloys: alloys with
smaller concentrations of carbon are
called hypoeutectoid alloys.

 These alloys contain greater amounts of

ferrite.

 Used for construction of non-cutting

instruments.
 Quenching
 If an alloy is heated to a
temp. above the critical
temp. but below the
solidus temp. it forms an
austenitic solid solution.

 If the alloy is quenched, a

very hard and brittle
steel, called martensite is
formed.
Quenching Cont’d

 Brittleness of martensite can be

reduced by heat treatment,
called tempering.

 The alloy is heated to a temp.

range 200 – 400 oC, at which
martensite partially converts to
ferrite and cementite.

 The main disadvantage of steel

is its susceptibility to corrosion.
Stainless Steel
 In addition to iron and carbon the stainless steel
contains chromium which improves corrosion
resistance.

 This is achieved by passivating effect, in which

the chromium exposed at the surface of the alloy
is readily oxidized to form an adhesive surface
film of chromic oxide preventing further attack.

 The addition of chromium to steel causes the

critical temp. (Tc) to be lowered.
 18/8 Stainless
Steel
 One of the most commonly used stainless steel,
contains 18 % chromium and 8 % nickel, called
18/8 stainless steel.

 This alloy has a critical temp. below the point at

which atomic movements are possible and
referred to as austenitic stainless steel.

 18/8 stainless steels are used where heat

treatment is not necessary e.g. non-cutting
instruments, wires and denture bases.
18/8 Stainless Steel
 These applications involve a degree of cold
working and the alloy is shaped by bending,
drawing or swaging.

 Alloys produced by incorporating smaller

amounts of chromium such as 12 % chromium,
have adequate corrosion resistance and can be
heat treated, called martensitic stainless steel.

 Martensitic stainless steel is commonly used to

construct cutting instruments and probes.
 Stainless Steel Denture Bases
 SS denture bases are formed by very thin sheets
(0.2mm) of 18/8 SS.

 The method of applying pressure required for

swaging may vary.

 SS have high values of modulus of elasticity and

proportional limit, sufficient rigidity can be
achieved by very thin sheets.
 Stainless Steel Denture Bases
Cont’d
Advantages
 Weight of denture can be kept to
minimum.
 SS denture conduct heat through the thin
metallic sheet, thus ensures that the
patient retains a normal reflex reaction to
hot and cold stimuli.
Disadvantage
 Lack of surface details on the swaged

plate.
 Wires
 Wires are most commonly used for the
construction of orthodontic appliances and
occasionally as wrought clasps and rests.

 Occlusal Rest
A rest placed on the occlusal surface of a
posterior tooth for transmitting occlusal stresses
parallel to its long axis and holding the clasp in
its predetermined position, being a component of
a removable partial denture.

 Orthodontic wires are designed to function such

that they apply forces to malaligned teeth in
order to change their positions and approximate
more closely an ideal dental arch.
 Requirements
 Requirements of wires relate to their springiness,
stiffness and ability to be bend without fracturing,
corrosion resistance and an ability to be simply
joined by soldering or welding.

 Orthodontic wires are generally shaped by

bending and the wire should posses sufficient
ductility to resist fracturing.

 Wire often remain in the oral cavity for several

month, therefore should have good corrosion
resistance.

 Wires should be capable of being easily joined

either by soldering or by welding.
Questions