The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical applications of electroplating method through investigation of the physical properties of orthodontic rectangular wires according to varying their cross section. For the study, it was accomplished to electroplate the 0.016-inched orthodontic rectangular stainless steel wire.
The cross section of stainless steel orthodontic rectangular wire increased from 0.016 x 0.016 inch to 0.017 x 0.017 inch by electroplating. The wire was heat treated to improve an adhesion between the wire and electroplated metal.
A three-point bending test and torsion test were conducted in order to compare physical properties among three wire groups; 0.016 x 0.016 wires (group 016), electroplated 0.016 x 0.016 wires (group 016P) and 0.017 x 0.017 wires (group 017). Through the investigations of each wire group, follow ng results were obtained.
1. At three-point bending test, the group 016P showed higher tendency in the degree of stiffness, yield strength and ultimate. tensile strength than the group 016. Stiffness and ultimate tensile strength showed. statistically significant differences between two groups at three-point ´bending test (p<0.05).
2. Stiffness, yield strength, and ultimate tensile strength of the group 016P showed lower tendency than those of the group 017. Stiffness showed statistically significant differences between two groups at three-point bending test (p{0.05).
3. Torque/twist rate, yield torsional moment, and ultimate torsional moment of the group 016P showed higher tendency than those of the group 016. All measurements showed statistically significant differences between two groups after torsion test (p<0.05).
4. Torque/twist rate, yield torsional moment, and ultimate torsional moment of the group 016P showed lower tendency than those of the group 017. Yield torsional moment, and ultimate torsional moment showed statistically significant differences between two groups after torsion test (p<0.05).
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