An Ultrasonic Abrasion Simulation Test Method Applied to Dental Alloy Evaluation

An in vitro electrochemical corrosion test has been developed to simulate in vivo corrosion of metallic dental prostheses, including abrasion effects. This test utilizes the ultrasonic agitation of a dispersion of SiC particles in an artificial saliva solution at 37 C to simulate normal corrosion wear and abrasion in the mouth. The corrosion behavior of a Co-Cr-Mo casting alloy (Vitallium) in this test indicates that the measured linear polarization corrosion rates correspond better with actual in vivo corrosion behavior than do similar corrosion tests carried out without ultrasonically driven abrasion. Such a test method can be used for accelerated tests of corrosion performance under controlled abrasion conditions.