OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of thermal and mechanical cycling on the metal-ceramic bond strength of machine-milled Ti2448 alloy and commercial pure titanium (cp Ti).

METHODSCeramic-cp Ti (n = 30) specimens and ceramic-Ti2448 combinations (n = 30) were prepared in accordance with ISO 9693. The specimens from each metal-ceramic combination were randomly divided into three subgroups. In group A or the control group, the specimens were only stored in distilled water for 24 h at 37 °C; in groups B and C, the specimens were subjected to 3,000 cycles of thermal cycling between 5 and 55 °C for a dwell time of 60 s and to mechanical cycling of 20,000 or 40,000 cycles with 50 N load and 4 Hz in distilled water at 37 °C. A crack initiation test was performed using a universal testing machine in accordance with ISO 9693. Failure types at the metal-ceramic interface and the morphological and elemental composition of this interface were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope and an energy dispersive spectrometer. Statistical analysis was performed via two-way ANOVA and Tukey's adjustment test (α = 0.05).

RESULTSThe bond strength of the ceramic-Ti2448 combination was significantly higher than that of the ceramic-cp Ti combination regardless of fatigue conditions (44.86 MPa ± 1.75 MPa and 29.21 MPa ± 2.20 MPa for Ti2448 and cp Ti, respectively; P < 0.01). The mean bond strengths of ceramic-cp Ti and ceramic-Ti2448 combinations in group C were significantly lower than that of group A (P < 0.01). Although ceramic-cp Ti combination failed adhesively at the metal-ceramic interface without the ceramic on the substrate surface, Ti2448 frameworks exhibited cohesive failure; as a result, large amounts of residual porcelain were retained on the specimens.

CONCLUSIONThe metal-ceramic bond strength of cp Ti and Ti2448 is decreased by thermal and mechanical cycling.