Effects of Tin Plating on Base Metal Alloy-Ceramic Bond Strength

Purpose: This study investigated the metal-ceramic bonding of treated metal surfaces. Materials and Methods: The study was divided into two parts. In Part I, the depth of tin diffusion from a tin-plated bone metal alloy surface was measured using an energy-dispersive sprctrometer. In Part II the metal-ceramic bond strength was determined using a shear test. Results: The weakest bonding was observed in the directly tin-plated group, and the strongest metal-ceramic bonding was maintained in the tin-diffused group. A controlled oxidation produced the greatest bond strengths. Conclusions: With the base metal alloys tested, diffusion under the argon environment was conducive to a stronger metal-ceramic bond. The metal oxidation rate should approximate the ceramic vitrification rate, and the diffusion rate of the metal elements should be slower than the vitrification rate to obtain the strongest metal-ceramic bond.