NOBLE ALLOY
A noble alloy comprising at least 25 wt. % palladium; from 15 to 30 wt. % chromium; at least 5 wt. % molybdenum and/or tungsten; and a principal balance of nickel is provided. Dental products and methods of manufacturing dental products using such a nickel-chromium base noble alloy are also provided.
1 . A noble alloy comprising:
Ni 1-y (Pd a Cr b Si c X d Z e ) y
where X is a material selected from the group consisting of molybdenum and tungsten;
where Z is a material selected from the group consisting of niobium, tantalum and rhenium;
where a, b, c, d, e and y are wt. %;
where y is the sum of a, b, c, d and e and is at least 45 wt. %; and
where a is at least 25 wt. %, b is from at least 15 wt. % to 30 wt. %, c is from 0 to 1.5 wt. %, d is from 5 to 25 wt. %, and e is from 0 to 10 wt. %.
2 . The noble alloy of claim 1 , wherein the alloy further comprises up to about 5 wt. % of at least one additive material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, cerium, gallium and germanium.
3 . The noble alloy of claim 1 , where c is about 0.5 wt. %.
4 . The noble alloy of claim 1 , where d is about 12 wt. %.
5 . The noble alloy of claim 1 , where e is about 6 wt. %.
6 . The noble alloy of claim 1 , wherein the alloy further comprises less than 5 wt. % of at least one trace additive selected from the group consisting of copper and iron.
7 . The noble alloy of claim 1 , where a ranges from about 25 wt. % to 45 wt. %.
8 . The noble alloy of claim 1 , wherein the alloy composition comprises 25 wt. % palladium, 25 wt. % chromium, 0.5 wt. % silicon, 12 wt. % X and 6 wt. % Z.
9 . A dental product comprising:
a body for dental application, said body being formed of noble alloy comprising:
Ni 1-y (Pd a Cr b Si c X d Z e ) y
where X is a material selected from the group consisting of molybdenum and tungsten;
where Z is a material selected from the group consisting of niobium, tantalum and rhenium;
where y is the sum of a, b, c, d and e and is at least 45 wt. %; and
where a is at least 25 wt. %, b is from at least 15 wt. % to 30 wt. %, c is from 0 to 1.5 wt. %, d is from 5 to 25 wt. %, and e is from 0 to 10 wt. %.
10 . The dental product of claim 9 , wherein the alloy further comprises up to about 5 wt. % of at least one additive material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, cerium, gallium and germanium.
11 . The dental product of claim 9 , where c is about 0.5 wt. %.
12 . The dental product of claim 9 , where d is about 12 wt. %.
13 . The dental product of claim 9 , where e is about 6 wt. %.
14 . The dental product of claim 9 , wherein the alloy further comprises less than 5 wt. % of at least one trace additive selected from the group consisting of copper and iron.
15 . The dental product of claim 9 , where a ranges from about 25 wt. % to 45 wt. %.
16 . The dental product of claim 9 , wherein the alloy composition comprises 25 wt. % palladium, 25 wt. % chromium, 0.5 wt. % silicon, 12 wt. % X and 6 wt. % Z.
17 . A method of forming a dental product comprising the steps of:
providing a noble alloy comprising:
Ni 1-y (Pd a Cr b Si c X d Z e ) y
where X is a material selected from the group consisting of molybdenum and tungsten,
where Z is a material selected from the group consisting of niobium, tantalum and rhenium,
where y is the sum of a, b, c, d and e and is at least 45 wt. %, and
where a is at least 25 wt. %, b is from at least 15 wt. % to 30 wt. %, c is from 0 to 1.5 wt. %, d is from 5 to 25 wt. %, and e is from 0 to 10 wt. %; and
shaping the dental alloy to form a dental product.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the step of shaping includes converting the alloy into a powder.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the method of shaping is selected from the group consisting of casting, molding, milling and laser sintering.