Functional properties of superelastic orthodontic nickel-titanium archwires with protective titanium nitride coatings

Today there are many manufacturers of orthodontic archwires composed of a nickel-titanium (TiNi) alloy with different elastic-force characteristics. A limited number of orthodontic archwires is available for initial tooth alignment, since reactive stresses do not always satisfy the condition 160 ≤ σc ≤ 200 MPa. The use of orthodontic archwires with polymer coatings having better aesthetics is increasing. However, they show excessive wear and color change during a long-term orthodontic treatment. The aim of this paper is to study and optimize the functional characteristics of superelastic archwires composed of Ti-50.8 аР % Ni alloy with TiN coatings deposited at varying deposition times. A three-point bending test was carried out to evaluate the functional properties. The distance between the supporters was 10 mm. The archwires were subjected to bending at a temperature of 23 ± 3 °C. Each test was continued until deformation of 1.5; 3; 4.5 and 6 % was reached. It has been found that titanium nitride coatings deposited on the Ti-50.8 at. % Ni surface alloy by the vacuum-plasma method act as the barrier layer to prevent the release of nickel ions into biological environment. Heat treatment (~400 °C) during deposition allows the required elastic-force characteristics and functional properties of the material to form. The optimal reactive stress (160-200 MPa) and the reverse martensitic transformation temperature occurred near room temperature can be obtained due to an appropriate selection of the deposition parameters. In the martensitic phase at room temperature, the archwire can be deformed. When the archwire sample is placed in oral cavity and heated to temperatures above 30 °C the material is in the superelastic state. Further research is needed in terms of coating stability during deformation when the material in superelastic state, as well as conducting corrosion testing, studying biocompatibility of archwire samples with titanium nitride coatings in order to successfully implement the proposed technology in dental practice. The prototypes of orthodontic TiNi archwires with protective and decorative TiN coatings will be obtained for medical application.

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