Comparison and evaluation of the mechanical properties of casted, recasted and combination of cobalt-chromium alloy: an in - vitro study

Introduction: Currently due to the increase in price of Cobalt-Chromium and Nickel-Chromium alloys and its allies owing to increase in demand, complete or partial recasting have become a necessity for economic reasons and to avoid the exploitation of natural resources. Methodology: A total of 30 specimens of Cobalt-Chromium alloy were fabricated and divided into 3 groups of 10 specimens each for determining the effect of recasting on hardness, tensile strength and modulus of elasticity using Universal Testing Machine and Vickers Hardness testing. Statistical analysis was done using ANOVA and POST HOC TUKEY TEST. Result: The results revealed that there is significant difference in the mechanical properties of Cobalt-Chromium alloys. (p=0.0001) In case of tensile strength and modulus of elasticity and hardness, ANOVA exhibited a difference in mean among Group I, II & III which is significant. Conclusion: There is significant difference in the mechanical properties of Cobalt-Chromium alloys, indicating that there is deterioration of properties when the content of reused alloy is 50% or more. But taking the environmental and economic factors into consideration, addition of less than 50% reused alloy to new alloy is acceptable clinically.