Noble alloy

Abstract

A noble alloy comprising at least 25 wt. % palladium; from 15 to 30 wt. % chromium; at least 5 wt. % molybdenum and/or tungsten; and a principal balance of nickel is provided. Dental products and methods of manufacturing dental products using such a nickel-chromium base noble alloy are also provided.

1 . A noble alloy comprising:
   Ni 1-y (Pd a Cr b Si c X d Z e ) y      where X is a material selected from the group consisting of molybdenum and tungsten;   where Z is a material selected from the group consisting of niobium, tantalum and rhenium;   where a, b, c, d, e and y are wt. %;   where y is the sum of a, b, c, d and e and is at least 45 wt. %; and   where a is at least 25 wt. %, b is from at least 15 wt. % to 30 wt. %, c is from 0 to 1.5 wt. %, d is from 5 to 25 wt. %, and e is from 0 to 10 wt. %.   
     
     
         2 . The noble alloy of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy further comprises up to about 5 wt. % of at least one additive material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, cerium, gallium and germanium. 
     
     
         3 . The noble alloy of  claim 1 , where c is about 0.5 wt. %. 
     
     
         4 . The noble alloy of  claim 1 , where d is about 12 wt. %. 
     
     
         5 . The noble alloy of  claim 1 , where e is about 6 wt. %. 
     
     
         6 . The noble alloy of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy further comprises less than 5 wt. % of at least one trace additive selected from the group consisting of copper and iron. 
     
     
         7 . The noble alloy of  claim 1 , where a ranges from about 25 wt. % to 45 wt. %. 
     
     
         8 . The noble alloy of  claim 1 , wherein the alloy composition comprises 25 wt. % palladium, 25 wt. % chromium, 0.5 wt. % silicon, 12 wt. % X and 6 wt. % Z. 
     
     
         9 . A dental product comprising:
 a body for dental application, said body being formed of noble alloy comprising:
   Ni 1-y (Pd a Cr b Si c X d Z e ) y    
   where X is a material selected from the group consisting of molybdenum and tungsten;   where Z is a material selected from the group consisting of niobium, tantalum and rhenium;   where y is the sum of a, b, c, d and e and is at least 45 wt. %; and   where a is at least 25 wt. %, b is from at least 15 wt. % to 30 wt. %, c is from 0 to 1.5 wt. %, d is from 5 to 25 wt. %, and e is from 0 to 10 wt. %.   
     
     
         10 . The dental product of  claim 9 , wherein the alloy further comprises up to about 5 wt. % of at least one additive material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, cerium, gallium and germanium. 
     
     
         11 . The dental product of  claim 9 , where c is about 0.5 wt. %. 
     
     
         12 . The dental product of  claim 9 , where d is about 12 wt. %. 
     
     
         13 . The dental product of  claim 9 , where e is about 6 wt. %. 
     
     
         14 . The dental product of  claim 9 , wherein the alloy further comprises less than 5 wt. % of at least one trace additive selected from the group consisting of copper and iron. 
     
     
         15 . The dental product of  claim 9 , where a ranges from about 25 wt. % to 45 wt. %. 
     
     
         16 . The dental product of  claim 9 , wherein the alloy composition comprises 25 wt. % palladium, 25 wt. % chromium, 0.5 wt. % silicon, 12 wt. % X and 6 wt. % Z. 
     
     
         17 . A method of forming a dental product comprising the steps of:
 providing a noble alloy comprising:
   Ni 1-y (Pd a Cr b Si c X d Z e ) y    
   where X is a material selected from the group consisting of molybdenum and tungsten,   where Z is a material selected from the group consisting of niobium, tantalum and rhenium,   where y is the sum of a, b, c, d and e and is at least 45 wt. %, and   where a is at least 25 wt. %, b is from at least 15 wt. % to 30 wt. %, c is from 0 to 1.5 wt. %, d is from 5 to 25 wt. %, and e is from 0 to 10 wt. %; and   shaping the dental alloy to form a dental product.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of shaping includes converting the alloy into a powder. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the method of shaping is selected from the group consisting of casting, molding, milling and laser sintering.