Corrosion properties of Ag-Au-Cu-Pd system alloys containing indium.

In this study, the corrosion resistance of Ag-Au-Cu-Pd system alloys consisting of 5 or 10 mass% indium was evaluated. Levels of element release and tarnish were determined and electrochemical measurements performed. Results were compared with those for commercial silver-palladium-gold alloy. In terms of electrochemical behavior, the transpassive potential of these experimental alloys was 168-248mV. Experimental alloys with 25 mass% Au showed similar corrosion resistance to control gold-silver-palladium alloy. Amount of released elements was 14-130microg/cm(2) at 7 days, which is in the allowable range for dental alloys. Addition of indium to Ag-Au-Cu-10mass%Pd system alloys was effective in increasing resistance to tarnish and alloys containing 10 mass% of indium showed a minimal decrease in L(*) values after immersion. These findings indicate that 25Au-37.5Ag-15Cu-10Pd-2Zn-10In-0.5Ir alloy is applicable in dental practice.