Effect of Cristobalite and Quartz on the Properties of Gypsum Bonded Investment

Generally the gold investment material consists of cristobalite, quartz and plaster. The physical property of gold investment materials depends on its thermal expansion coefficients, compressive strength, and particles size distribution. Since the thermal expansion coefficient of cristobalite and quartz are 2.6×10-6/℃ and 2.32×10-6/℃ respectively, the composition ratio of each components influence the thermal and physical properties of gold investment materials. For the clinical applications, it is necessary to improve the properties of gold investment materials such as homogeneous size distribution and thermal expansion coefficients. In the present study, effect of inorganic fillers such as cristobalite and quartz on gold alloy investment was investigated to improve the properties of it. The compressive strength and thermal expansion coefficients of the specimens were evaluated. The results showed that cristobalite and quartz were homogeneously distributed by milling.The optimum compressive strength was obtained at the ratio of 42:22 cristobalite and quartz, respectively.