Au interface effect on Ti-dental porcelain bond strength investigated by spectroscopic methods and mechanical tests

The article presents the results of the titanium 99.2/ceramic system interface bond strength investigated by mechanical tests and Raman spectroscopy. The titanium substrate was activated with sandblasting (Al2O3), an Au interlayer and finally covered with low fusing porcelain (GC Initial, Duceratin). In order to investigate the effects of the Au layer on the interface bond strength, mechanical testing (three-point bending) was conducted. Surface characterizations of the specimens were carried out with scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDX) and spectroscopic (RS) study. The applied Au interface layer for substrate preparation improves the effects of porcelain adhesion to Ti 99.2, which was confirmed by bond strength improvement in the area of the titanium/bioceramic interface. The results indicated that the bond strengths of all the Ti/porcelain systems were greater than the minimal requirement (25 MPa) of ISO 9696. Surface activation with sandblasting and gold sputtering treatment of the Ti surfaces prior to porcelain sintering significantly strengthens the bond between the metal (Ti 99.2) and the dental porcelain.