CONTENTS

 DEFINITION
 HOW WROUGHT METAL ALLOYS ARE MADE?
 USES
 PROPERTIES
 DEFORMATION OF METALS
 CARBON STEEL
 GOLD ALLOYS
 STAINLESS STEEL
TITANIUM ALLOYS
CHROMIUM – COBALT ALLOYS
AJ WILCOCK WIRES
CONCLUSION
• Wrought: Beaten to shape.
• Alloys: A metal made by combining two or
more metallic elements to give greater
strength or resistance to corrosion
• What are wrought metal
alloys?

These are cold worked metals that

are plastically deformed to bring
about a change in shape of structure
and their mechanical properties.
How wrought alloys are made?

Mechanical
work

Wrought
alloy
Heat
treatment
How wrought metal alloys are made?

Cast alloys

Series of dies

Intermdiate heat treatment

Round wires
Where all they are used?
ORTHODONTIC WIRES

PRE-FABRICATED CROWNS

ORTHODONTIC
BRACKETS
PARTIAL DENTURE CLASP

ENDODONTIC FILES

SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS
 PROPERTIES
• Strength
• Stiffness
• Springback
• Resilience
• Formability
• Malleability
• Ductility
• Joinability
• Biocompatibility
 ELASTIC LIMIT

THE RATIO OF STRESS

TO STRAIN N THE
LINEAR PORTION OF
THE CURVE IS CALLED
YOUNG’S MODULUS
STRESS

ELASTIC POINT

STRAIN
 YIELD STRENGTH

THE
DEFORMATION
MOST USED IS
STRESS

0.2%
YIELD POINT

STRAIN
 ULTIMATE TENSILE
SRENGTH
STRESS

STRAIN
 SPRING BACK

POINT OF ARBITARY
CLINICAL LOADING
STRESS

STRAIN
 RESILENCE

STRESS

STRAIN
 FORMABILITY

YIELD
POINT

FRACTURE POINT
STRESS

STRAIN
 MALLEABILITY

• The material's ability to form a thin sheet by

hammering or rolling.
 DUCTILITY

• The material's ability to be stretched into a

wire.
 BIOCOMPATIBILITY

• Resistant to corrosion.
 JOINABILITY

Ease of auxillary attatchment soldering or welding

Stress-strain curve
 DEFORMATION OF METALS

 LATTICE IMPERFECTIONS

 DISLOCATIONS

 STRAIN HARDENING

 FRACTURE
LATTICE IMPERFECTIONS

CRYSTALIZATION
OF METALS

RANDOM
GROWTH

LATTICE POINTS
ARE VACCANT OR
OVER CROWDED
Lattice imperfections are classified as:

POINT DEFECTS

LINE DEFECTS
 POINT DEFECTS

Vacancy – a vacant lattice site

Divacancy/ Trivacancy – two or

more missing atoms

Interstitial – extra atom

present in space lattice
Vacancies are also known as “Equilibrium defects”.

This is necessary for the process of diffusion of

metals
 DISLOCATIONS

Edge dislocation - lattice is regular except for the

one plane of atoms that is discontinuous, forming
“dislocation line” at the edge of the half plane.
 • Edge dislocation

• Continuous shear stress

application

• Dislocation reaches edge

of the crystal & disappears

• Leaves ONE UNIT of slip at

the crystal surface
SLIP PLANE
 Dislocations
are not equilibrium defects
 it requires significant energy

Slip plane –
plane along which a dislocation moves
 STRAIN HARDENING/ WORK HARDENING

• DEFORMATION AT ROOM TEMPERATURE

Dislocations tend to Atomic slip occurs on
buildup at grain other intersecting slip Point defects increase
boundaries planes & entire grain
becomes distorted

Greater stress is Metal becomes

required to produce stronger, Harder and
further slip less Ductile

Further increase in cold work metal FRACTURE

• Consequences of strain hardening

• Surface hardness • Ductility

• Yield Strength •Resistance to

corrosion of the metal

• Ultimate tensile
strength
 ANNEALING

• Controlled heating and cooling process designed to

produce desired properties in a metal.

• Annealing takes place in 3 successive stages

Recovery
Recrystallization
Grain growth
RECOVERY

• Cold worked properties begin

to disappear.

• Slight decrease in tensile

strength.

• No change in ductility.

• No changes in microscopic
structure.
• Recrystallization

The old grains are

replaced by new set of
grains.

The material attains its

original soft and ductile
condition.

The fibrous structure is

transformed to small
grains.
 • Grain growth
Grain size range from fine to coarse

Fine grain structure if annealed further,

grains begin to grow

Large grains consume smaller grains

Grain growth process does not progress

indefinitely to form single crystal

Rather, an ultimate coarse grain structure

is formed

Phenomenon occurs only in wrought metals

 CARBON STEELS

• Iron-based alloys usually containing 1.2% Carbon

• Based on 3 possible lattice arrangements of iron,

different classes of steels are:

oFerrite
oAustenite
oMartensite
Ferrite

 Body centered cubic (BCC)

 Pure iron at room temperature
 Phase is stable in temperature as high as 912C
 Carbon has very low solubility in ferrite
Austenite

• Face centered cubic (FCC)

• Stable form of iron at temperature between 912C &
1394C
• Maximum carbon solubility is 2.1% by weight.
Martensite

• Body centered tetragonal crystal structure.

• Produced by quenching of austenite to undergo
spontaneous, diffusionless transformation.
• This is a very strong brittle and hard alloy.
• The formation of martensite is actually a
strengthening mechanism of carbon steel.
• Lattice is highly distorted & strained resulting in an
extremely hard, strong, brittle alloy-MARTENSITE

MARTENSITE decomposes to form FERRITE & CARBIDE

Accelerated by heat treatment process called

TEMPERING

Reduces hardness but increases toughness

WROUGHT GOLD ALLOYS
HISTORY
 GOLD WIRES WRAPPED AROUND THE NECK OF
ADJACENT TEETH.
The Use of Gold in Dentistry AN HISTORICAL OVERVIEW. PART I
J. A. Donaldson British Dental Association Museum, London, U.K.
DENTAL APPLICATIONS OF GOLD ALLOYS

CONSTRUCTION OF REMOVABLE PARTIAL DENTURE

CLASP.

FABRICATION OF ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCES.

AS RETENTION PINS FOR RESTORATION.

• Type 5 and Type 10 dental gold alloys are used
as orthodontic wires.

Gold in Dentistry: Alloys, Uses and Performance

Helmut Knosp, Consultant, Pforzheim, Germany Richard J Holliday, World Gold
Council, London, UK Christopher W. Corti, World Gold Council, London, UK
PLATINUM-GOLD-PALLADIUM WIRES (P-G-P)

• Composition:
– Platinum: 40%-50%
– Gold: 25%-30%
– Palladium: 25%-30%

• They possess,
1) High fusion temperature & high recrystallization
temperature.
2) Meet composition requirements for ADA type I
gold wire.
PALLADIUM-SILVER-COPPER WIRES (P-S-C)

Composition:
Palladium: 42%-44%
Silver: 38%-41%
Copper: 16%-17%
Platinum: 0%-1%

P-S-C wires are neither Type I nor Type II gold

wires, but their mechanical properties meet
the requirements for ADA Type I or II gold wire
 EFFECT OF CONSTITUENTS OF GOLD
ALLOYS
PLATINIUM –

• Bluish white metal.

• Hardness similar to copper.
• Higher melting point ( 1772°C) than porcelain.
• Coefficient of thermal expansion close to porcelain.
• Lighten the color of yellow gold based alloys
• Common constituent in precision prosthetic
attachments.
PALLADIUM

• White metal darker than platinum

• Density little more than half that of Pt and Au
• Absorbs hydrogen gas when heated
• Not used in pure state in dentistry
• Whitens yellow gold based alloys.
SILVER(Ag)

• Malleable, ductile; white metal.

• Stronger and harder than gold, softer than
copper.
• Absorbs oxygen in molten state and difficult to
cast
• Forms series of solid solutions with palladium
and gold .
• Neutralizes reddish color of alloys containing
copper
COPPER:
• Contributes the ability
to age harden.

IRIDIUM:
• Grain refiners
• Improves mechanical
properties and
uniformity of properties
within alloy
• Extremely high melting
point of Ir - 2410°C and
Ru - 2310°C – serve as
nucleating centers
NICKEL :
• strengthenerofalloybut
itreduces ductility.
• largequantityofNitends
to reduce tarnish
resistance& changealloy
response to age
hardening.
ZINC :
• added as a scavenger agent
to obtain oxide-free ingots
TREATMENT OF GOLD ALLOYS

• Softening heat treatment/homogenizing-

Solution heat treatment.
• Hardening heat treatment-Age hardening.
Softening Heat Treatment
• Increases ductility .
• reduces tensile strength ,proportional limit and
hardness.
HARDENING HEAT TREATMENT

• Increases strength, proportional limit, and hardness,

but decreases ductility.
• Copper present in gold alloy helps in this process.
STAINLESS STEEL ALLOYS
 HISTORY

• First developed accidently by Harry Brearley in

Sheffield, England.
 He tested this steel with nitric
acid ,lemon juice and tested
under microscope and found that
his alloys were highly resistant,
and immediately recognised the
potential for his steel within the
cutlery industry.

 He named it as ‘Rustless Steel’,

but Stuart, dubbed it ‘Stainless
Steel’ after testing the material in
a vinegar solution, and the name
stuck
• Stainless steel entered dentistry in 1919, introduced
at Krupp’s dental poly clinic in Germany by F. Haupt
Meyer.

• In 1930 Angle used it to make ligature wires.

• Manufacturing of stainless steel

INGOT
MELTING ROLLING DRAWING
FORMATION
MELTING
The selection and melting of the components of alloys
influence the physical properties of wire .
Composition (as per AISI)

TYPE Cr Ni C Mn Si P S

302 17-19 8-10 0.15 2 1 0.045 0.03

304 18-20 8-12 0.08 2 1 0.045 0.03

416 12-14 - 0.15 1.25 1 0.06 0.15

 Ingot • the molten metal is poured into
the mold.
formation
• A non uniform chunk of metal is
INGOT — colony produced.
of irregularly
shaped grains of
different • The mechanical properties of the
materials. ingot is controlled by its granular
structure.

• When the ingot is cooled, grains

forms at once.

• These growing crystals are

surrounded each another.
The pouring and cooling process affect
porosity.

When ingot cools the inner mass hardens

later, inside the outside hardened shell,
which results in additional vacuum voids.
ROLLING
• First mechanical step in process.
• Ingot is rolled in series of rollers to reduce its diameter.

• . Now the
wire is actually an "distorted ingot".
• The squeezing and rolling of ingot alters the shape and
arrangement of the crystals

• Rolling will cause the elongation crystals into an finger like

process, closely meshed with each other.
• Hardness/ brittleness increases as the grain positions and
arrangements are altered

• The metal is annealed by heating into high temperature,

which relives the internal stress formed by rolling.
• On cooling ,it resembles an original casting.
 DRAWING

The wire is reduced to its

final size by drawing.

This is a more precise

process in which the wire is
pulled through a small hole
in a die.
Before it is reduced to
orthodontic size a wire is drawn
through many series of dies and
annealed several times along
the way to relieve work
hardening.
• The wires used in orthodontics are generally
American Iron and Steel Institute {AISI} types 302
and 304 austenitic stainless steels. These alloys are
known as “18-8” Stainless steels, so designated
because of the percentages of chromium and nickel
in the alloy.

IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-

ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 14, Issue 1 Ver. I (Jan. 2015), PP 47-50
Properties of stainless steel
• When 12-30% chromium is added to steel it forms
STAINLESS STEEL.
• Yield strength - 1100-15000Mpa.
• The modulus of elasticity - 160 to 180 GPa.
• PASSIVATION- property of SS to resist tarnish and
corrosion.

IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-

ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 14, Issue 1 Ver. I (Jan. 2015), PP 47-50
 CORROSION RESISTANCE OF STAINLESS STEEL

• Sensitization
18-8 STAINLESS
STEEL LOSES ITS
RESISTANCE TO
CORROSION.

DUE TO PRECIPITATION OF CHROMIUM

CARBIDE AT GRAIN BOUNDARIES. (650C)
METHODS TO
REDUCE
Reduce the carbon content.
Precipitate carbide along slip planes.
• STABILIZATION TITANIUM is used approx 6
times Carbon content for
stabilization

A method employed
where introduction of
some element that
precipitates as carbide
in preference to
chromium
S
T
A Ferritic
I
N
L
E Martensitic
S
S
S
T
E
Austensitic
E
L
Ferritic stainless steel

• It has BCC structure

• Composition:
Chromium - 11.5% to 27%
Carbon – 0.2%
Nickel – 0%
• Properties:
– Provide good corrosion resistance.
– Not hardenable by heat treatment because
temperature change induces no phase change in solid
state.
– Not readily work hardenable.
– Little application in DENTISTRY.
Martensitic stainless steel
• BCT structure.
• Composition:
Chromium – 11.5% to 17%
Nickel – 0% to 2.5%
Carbon – 0.15% to 1.2%
• Properties:
– Can be heat treated
– Has less corrosion resistance than other types of
stainless steels
• Used for surgical and cutting instruments
Austenitic stainless steel

• FCC structure.
• AISI 302 series
• Most corrosion resistant metal.
• Used for orthodontic wires,endodontic instruments,
crowns in pediatric dentistry.
 Austenite
18-8 stainless steel used in orthodontic
stainless steel wires and brackets

AISI 302(basic alloy) AISI 304

17-19% chromium 18-20%chromium
8-10%nickel 8-12%nickel
0.15% carbon 0.08% carbon
 • AISI 316 L
L – low carbon content, 0.03%
10-14% Nickel
2-3% molybdenum
16-18% chromium
- used to make implants
AISI-type
is currently used for bracket
manufacturing

Variations in surface characteristics and corrosion behaviour of metal brackets and wires
in different electrolyte solution.sChia-Tze Kao, Tsui-Hsien Huang,Europen jounal of
orthodontics volume 33 issue 5,page 555-560
 Comparing Austenitic over Ferritic stainless
steel
Austenitic stainless steel has:
-Less critical
• -Greater ductility & ability to undergo grain growth

more cold work without fracturing

• -Substantial strengthening during cold
working

• -Greater ease of welding

• -Ability to overcome sensitization
• -Comparative ease in forming
Duplex steels SAF2205
• Both austenite and ferrite grains
Due to its low
• Increased toughness and ductility content in nickel,
the steel has been
than Ferritic steels preferred for the
manufacture of
• Twice the yield strength of austenitic one-piece
brackets by
steels CEOSA, Madrid
(Bioline® & Low
• High corrosion resistance
nickel”®)
• Lower nickel content

By Dr. Claude Matasa

ORTHODONTIC BIOMATERIALS
Properties, risks and prevention
Precipitation hardened steels [pH steels] [600 series]
[630/17-4] [631/17-7]

 Certain elements as chromium,copper,etc added

to steel tends to precipitate and increase the
hardness on heat treatment. –aging treatment-
decrease corrosion resistance.

 The strength is very high.

 Used to make mini-brackets.(due to high tensile
strength( PH17-4)

 Edge lock brackets(17-7 ormco)

Cobalt containing alloys
Used both for wires and brackets. Contain a large
proportion of nickel.

Manganese containing steels

Known as austenizing element, manganese acts by
interstitially solubilizing the real austenizing element
nitrogen thus replacing nickel
Types [500 series]
501 and 502 are low chromium [4-6%] steel not used
for orthodontic appliance
Titanium alloys
Nickel titanium
(NiTi) Titanium
niobium

β- titanium Timolium

Beta III
α- titanium
NICKEL TITANIUM ALLOYS
History
• The term nitinol is derived from its composition and
its place of discovery (Nickel Titanium-Naval
Ordnance Laboratory).
• William J. Buehler along with Frederick Wang,
discovered its properties during research at the Naval
Ordnance Laboratory in 1959.
 Composition:
Nickel – 54%
Titanium – 44%
Cobalt- 2% or less

Nitinol alloy can exist in various crystallographic

forms:
Austenitic phase – BCC lattice, exists at high
temperatures & stable form

Martensitic phase – Close packed Hexagonal lattice,

exists at room temperature
 Austenitic NiTi

Chinese Japanese Cu
NiTi(1985) NiTi(1986) NiTi(1994)
• A-NiTi is difficult to bend as they do not
undergo plastic deformation easily

• Can be shaped if temperature

• Superelastic properties of only a section of a wire can
be changed by heat.

• Properties of A-NiTi have quickly made it the

preferred material for orthodontic appliances.
MARTENSITIC NiTi

Dr GEORGE ANDERSON (1971)

SHAPE MEMORY COULD

NOT BE EXPLOITED

• STIFFNESS
• FORCE PER DEACTIVATION
• FORMABILITY
The cooling/heating cycle shows thermal hyteresis
The relative concentration of two phases in the alloy
will determine the relative stiffness of the wire and the
amount of force delivered.
• In metals that crystalize in HCP , deformation occurs
by Twinning.
This twinning is responsible for Shape memory and
super elastic properties of metals.
 Shape memory effect
Achieved by 1st establishing a
shape at temp erature near 482°C

cooled & formed into a 2nd shape

and heat treated through a low
transition temperature

wire will return to its original shape

COBALT content is used to control

the lower transition temperature
(approx 37°C mouth temperature)

Superelasticity – phenomenon where austenite to

martensite transition is induced by stress .
 SHAPE MEMORY SUPER ELASTICITY

THERMALLY INDUCED MECHANICAL OR

AT ORAL TEMPERATURE STRESS INDUCED

MARTENSITIC PHASE TRANSFORMATION

AUSTENITIC MARTENSITIC AUSTENITIC

Key properties of Nitinol alloys include:
• Large forces that can be generated.
• Excellent damping properties below the transition
temperature.
• Excellent corrosion resistance.
• Nonmagnetic.
• High fatigue strength.
• Moderate impact resistance.
• Moderate heat resistance.
• Biocompatible.
Advantages

I. Fewer arch wire changes

II. Less chair side time
III. Less patient discomfort
Uses of NITINOL

DENTISTRY:

ORTHODONTIC WIRES

ENDODONTIC FILES
• MEDICAL APPLICATION:

ANCHORS FOR TENDON FIXATION.

STENTS FOR CARDIOVASCULAR

APPLICATION
• AEROSPACE AND NAVAL APPLICATION:

• ACTUATOR TO CONTROL WATER:

 Recent advances in NiTi wires

• Bioforce sentalloy
• Nitrogen coated archwires
• Nitinol total control

Miura F, Mogi M, Ohura Y, Hamanaka H.: The super- property of the Japanese NiTi alloy wire for
use in orthodontics. Am J Orthod Dentofac Orthop 1986; 90: 1-10.
Nitinol Total Control
• Developed by TODD A.THAYER.
• Superelastic nickel titanium alloy to deliver light,
continuous forces over a desired treatment range
with bend ability required to account for variations in
tooth morphology,archform and bracket
prescriptions.
 COPPER NiTi
Introduced in 1994 by Dr. Rohit
Sachdeva.
Quartenary alloy
• Nickel
• Titanium
• Copper
• Chromium
Has both superelastic and shape
memory properties.
• Advantages of Cu-NiTi over traditional NiTi
alloys:
More
More consistent
resistant to forces which
permanent are active
deformation longer within
and better the optimal
springback tooth
Smaller moving
loading range
force for
same
degree of
deformation
• Presence of copper helps to:

• Stress required to
deform martensitic Thermal
phase reactive
properties of
• Hysteresis NiTi

Creates a consistent unloading force

which closely approximates loading
forces.
STRESS INDUCED TEMPERATURE DEPENDENT

MARTENSITIC
TRANSFORMATION
• To exploit superelasticity to its fullest potential the
working temperature of the orthodontic appliance >
austensitic finish temperature.
• Difference between austensitic and mouth
temperature determines the force generated.
• Austensitic temperature

1. COMPOSITION 2.THERMOMECHANICAL TREATMENT

3.MANUFACTURING PROCESS
 AUSTENSITIC
FINISH
TEMPERATURE

TYPE I TYPE II TYPE III TYPE IV

 Af
• TYPE I: 15C

NOT FREQUENTLY USED AS IT

GENERATES VERY HIGH FORCES.
 Af
27C
• TYPE II:

• > FORCES WHEN COMPARED TO TYPE III AND

TYPE IV.
• AVERAGE OR HIGHER PAIN THRESHOLD
PATIENTS.
• NORMAL PERIODONTAL HEALTH
• RAPID TOOTH MOVEMENT.
• FORCE GENERATED IS CONSTANY
 Af
35C

• TYPE III:

• GENERATES FORCES IN MILD RANGE.

• LOW TO NORMAL THRESHOLD PATIENTS.
• NORMAL TO SLIGHTLY COMPROMISED
PERIODONTIUM.
 Af
40C
• TYPE IV:
• GENERATE TOOTH MOVING FORCES ONLY
WHEN MOUTH TEMP ERATURE>40 DEG C
• FOR PATIENTS WHO ARE VERY SENSITIVE
TO PAIN
• COMPROMISED PERIODONTAL HEALTH
• FOR PATIENTS WHO HAVE LONG
INTERVALS BETWEEN APPOINTMENTS OR
POOR CO-OPERATION
• ADVANTAGES:

• Constant and • Provides prescise

sustained transformation
unloading temperature.
forces. • Easier to engage in a
• hysteresis – slot
equal actvation • Decrease of force is
and less than NiTi hence
deactivation it continues to work
forces. as teeth near their
intended positions.
 β-TITANIUM
• Termed as Titanium-Molybdenum Alloys
(TMA)

Dr. CHARLES BURSTONE AND

JON GOLDBERG
• Composition:
– Titanium – 77.8%
– Molybdenum – 11.3%
– Zirconium – 6.6%
– Tin – 4.3%
• Mechanical properties of beta-titanium alloys

ELASTIC MODULUS • SPRINGBACK.

• YIELD STRENGTH TO
ELASTIC MODULUS RATIO.
• COLD WORKED.
• DUCTILITY

GOOD FORMABILITY COMPARED TO AUSTENSITIC STAINLESS

STEEL

• CORROSION RESISTANCE.
• ENVIRONMENTAL STABILITY.

HEAT TREATMENT
ONLY ORTHODONTIC WIRE POSSESSING
TRUE WELDABILITY
Welding properties of beta-titanium alloys

Clinically satisfactory joints can be made

by welding.
Weld made with insufficient heat fails at
the interface between the wires.
Overheating may cause a failure adjacent
to the welded joint.
Advantages of Beta-titanium over Stainless steel

• Beta-titanium replaced stainless steel for certain uses,

as stainless steel had dominated orthodontics since the
1960s.
• It has strength/modulus of elasticity ratios almost
twice those of 18-8 austenitic stainless steel, larger
elastic deflections in springs, and reduced force per
unit displacement, 2.2 times below those of stainless
steel appliances.

JON GOLDBERG* and CHARLES J. BURSTONE+ Department of Restorative Dentistry,*

Department of Orthodontics+, The University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington,
Connecticut 06032, and Institute of Materials Science,*+ Storrs, Connecticut 06268
• CLINICAL USE

INITIAL TOOTH ALIGNMENT

FINISHING ARCHES

K-SIR ARCH

PENDULUM APPLIANCE
 TITANIUM-NIOBIUM

• Composition : Nickel free

Titanium- 82% alloy.
Molybdenum-15%
Niobium- 3%
PROPERTIES
• Easy to bend.
• Formability < TMA
Load deflection
• Yield strength < SS.
• Stiffness ¼ of SS.
• Indicated when lower forces than those
exerted by TMA are needed.
ADVANTAGES
• No leaching of Nickel.
• Biocompatible.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

• Finishing wire with multiple bends

• Fixed retainers
 TIMOLIUM TITANIUM WIRE

Timolium archwires combine

• Flexibility
• Continuous force NICKEL TITANIUM
• Springback

• High stiffness
• Bendability STAINLESS STEEL
• Easier to bend and shape
• Can be welded.
• Loops and bends can be made without breakage.
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

During initial treatment it is excellent for:

• space closure
• tooth alignment
• levelling and bite opening.

Total control during detailing makes Timolium the

wire of choice during the final treatment phase.
 β-III WIRES

Introduced by Dr.RAVINDRA
NANDA
 Bendable
 High force
 Low deflection rate
 Co-efficient of friction is more
• Nickel free titanium wire with memory
• Ideal for multilooping, cantilever, utility arches
• First choice of wire for finishing stages where tip &
torque corrections fully accomplished during initial
stages
 ΑLPHA- TITANIUM

The composition of α-titanium include

• 88.9% titanium,
• 7.86% Aluminum
• 4.05% Vanadium.

The elastic modulus and yield strength

• 110 GPa and 40 MPa respectively

Aluminum, carbon, oxygen and nitrogen, stabilize the

a-titanium structure. That is, they raise the
temperature for transformation to β-titanium.
• Hexagonal lattice possesses fewer slip planes making
it less ductile than ß-titanium.
• The wires are soft enough for initial gentle action on
teeth in spite of large wire dimension .
• They seem to harden and become brittle with
passage of time in the mouth, possibly due to the
absorption of hydrogen and formation of titanium
hydrides.
COBALT-CHROMIUM NICKEL ALLOY
Composition:

• Cobalt – 40%
• Chromium – 20%
• Nickel – 15%
• Molybdenum – 7%
• Manganese – 2%
• Carbon – 0.016%
• Beryllium – 0.04%
• Iron – 15.8%
• Also known as ELGILOY.
• It is manufactured in four tempers:

SOFT DUCTILE SEMIRESILIENT

RESILIENT
• Heat treatment of elgiloy

Softening heat treatment temperature:

1100°C to 1200°C followed by rapid quench

Age hardening temperature range:

260°C to 650°C

According to the manufacturer, alloy for ELGILOY

is held at 482°C for 5 hours
• ELGILOY wire is heat treated at 482°C for 7 to
12 minutes - mainly to increase the yield
strength & decrease the ductility.

ELGILOY wires should not be ANNEALED.

• Because the resulting softening effect cannot be

reversed by subsequent heat treatment.

• If only a portion of wire is annealed, severe

embrittlement of adjacent sections may occur
The advantages of Co-Cr wires over stainless steel wires
include greater resistance to fatigue and distortion, and
longer function as a resilient spring.

Kapila S, Sachdeva R. Mechanical properties and clinical applications of orthodontic wires. Am J

Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 1989;96:100–9
 Recovery heat treatment of ELGILOY
• Stress-relief heat treatment :
ELGILOY wires are heat treated at comparatively low
temperatures (370°C to 480°C) after it has been cold
worked.

Stress-relief treatment:
1)Removes residual stresses during recovery
without pronounced alteration in mechanical
properties.
2)Improves working elastic properties.
3)Reduce failure caused by corrosion.
A J WILCOCK WIRES
 Wilcock archwire have been the main stay of
Begg's tech.

Developed by the late Mr. Arthur J. Wilcock senior of

Whittlesea, Victoria Australia that enabled Dr. Begg to
develop his light wire tech.

Until recently the grade of wire routinely used was

special plus and for those cases resistant to bite
opening extra special plus was used.
The new grades and sizes of wires are now available.

They are available in spools and straight lengths

• Properties of AJ Wilcock wires:

TENSILE STRENGTH

STIFFNESS

RESILIENCE

ZERO STRESS RELAXATION

RESISTANT TO DEFORMATION
• A J Wilcock wires are graded into:
REGULAR

REGULAR PLUS

SPECIAL

SPECIAL PLUS

PREMIUM
PREMIUM
PLUS
SUPREME
Regular grade

LOWEST GRADE
DIAMETER-0.012-0.024

USED WHEN
ARCHFORM
EASY TO BEND DISTORTION
IS NOT A
PROBLEM OR
BITE
OPENING IS
NOT
USED FOR REQUIRED
AUXILIARIES
Regular plus

Relatively easy to
form.
DIAMETER- 0.012-0.020
More resilient
than regular.
Used for making
auxiliaries.
Used for making
an archform when
more pressure and
resistance to
deformation are
desired.
Special grade

DIAMETER-0.012-0.020

HIGHLY
RESILIENT

LESS
BREAKAGE

USED
MOSTLY AS
ARCHWIRES
Special plus

DIAMETER-0.012-0.024
HARDNESS AND RESILIENCY IS
EXCELLENT FOR MAINTAINING
ANCHORAGE AND REDUCING
OVERBITE

CHANCES OF FRACTURE MORE

SHOULD BE BENT WITH

CAUTION
Premium

DIAMETER-0.012-0.020

High
resilience

• IDEAL FOR OPEN BITE.

 Premium plus

DIAMETER- 0.011-0.018

• In early treatment – alignment and levelling.

• Preferred in high angle and undue molar extrusion.
Supreme

DIAMETER-0.008-0.011

• Unravelling crowded anerior teeth

• Mini uprighting springs.
 Process of manufacturing

SPINNER STRAIGHTENING
PULSE STRAIGHTENING
SPINNER STRAIGHTENING
 DISADVANTAGES

• Deformation
• Decreased yield stress value makes it strain
softened
PULSE STRAIGHTENING
• The wire is pulsed in special machines the
permit high tensile wires to be straightened. •
The advantages
• —It permits highest tensile wire to be
straightened.
• —Tensile yield stress is not altered.
• —Smoother surface of wire hence less
friction.
• Greater flexibility of spring fabricated.
• Greater resiliency
• Permits the usage of small diameter wire resulting in
a continuous force with minimal relaxation.
• BAUSCHINGER EFFECT

If the wires are straightened by the process of reverse

straining, meaning flexing in a direction opposite to
that of original bend, the yield point of the wire
reduces.
Clinical tips and facts
• The higher grade wires especially pulse
straightened are excellent for applying
constant force for a longer time without
undergoing softening.
• For a careless patient and patients with
occlusal interference, chance of wire fracture
is more. So low grade wire is preferred.
• The wire used for making arches is selected
according to the load deflection, we required.
Clinical tips and facts

• The higher grade wires especially pulse straightened

are excellent for applying constant force for a longer
time without undergoing softening.

• For a careless patient and patients with occlusal

interference, chance of wire fracture is more. So low
grade wire is preferred.

• The wire used for making arches is selected

according to the load deflection, we required
 CONCLUSION
• In the last few decades, a variety of new alloys has
been introduced into orthodontics.
• Appropriate use of all the available wire types may
enhance patient comfort and reduce chairside time
and the duration of treatment.
• The restricted use of only stainless steel wires to
treat an entire case from start to finish therefore may
be indicated only in a few patients.
• It may be beneficial instead to exploit the desirable
qualities of a particular wire type that is specifically
selected to satisfy the demands of the presenting
clinical situation.
• This, in turn, would provide the most optimal and
efficient treatment results.
 REFERENCES
• Phillips' Science of Dental Materials
By Kenneth J. Anusavice
• Krishnan V, Kumar KJ. Mechanical properties and surface
characteristics of three archwire alloys. Angle Orthod.
2004;74:825–31.
• The Use of Gold in Dentistry AN HISTORICAL OVERVIEW. PART
I J. A. Donaldson British Dental Association Museum, London,
U.K
• Gold in Dentistry: Alloys, Uses and Performance
Helmut Knosp, Consultant, Pforzheim, Germany Richard J
Holliday, World Gold Council, London, UK Christopher W. Corti,
World Gold Council, London, UK
• A non-rusting steel". New York Times. 31 January 1915
• IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-
ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 14, Issue 1 Ver. I (Jan. 2015), PP 47-50
• Variations in surface characteristics and corrosion behaviour of metal brackets
and wires in different electrolyte solution.sChia-Tze Kao, Tsui-Hsien
Huang,Europen jounal of orthodontics volume 33 issue 5,page 555-560
By Dr. Claude Matasa
•ORTHODONTIC BIOMATERIALS
Properties, risks and prevention

• Miura F, Mogi M, Ohura Y, Hamanaka H.: The super- property of the Japanese NiTi
alloy wire for use in orthodontics. Am J Orthod Dentofac Orthop 1986; 90: 1-10.
• An Evaluation of Beta Titanium Alloys for Use in Orthodontic Appliances
JON GOLDBERG* and CHARLES J. BURSTONE+
Department of Restorative Dentistry,* Department of Orthodontics+, The University
of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut 06032, and Institute of
Materials Science,*+ Storrs, Connecticut 06268
• Structure, Composition, and Mechanical Properties of Australian Orthodontic Wires
Brian M. Pelsuea; Spiros Zinelisb; T. Gerard Bradleyc; David W. Berzinsd; Theodore Eliadese;
George Eliadesf