Influence of polishing on cast clasp properties.
During the polishing of clasps, two possible changes that could affect their properties are thinning of the clasp and work hardening of the alloy. Two distinctly different clasp pattern forms were selected and 20 samples of each were cast. They were then divided into two groups, polished and unpolished, in an effort to determine the total influence of the polishing procedure on clasp behavior. The results indicate that polishing produces a slightly more flexible clasp. Any influence resulting from possible work hardening is offset by the reduction of clasp thickness. Effects of width/thickness ratios and magnitude of deflections on finishing and polishing techniques may also alter clasp flexibility in the polished clasp.
Stress-relaxation testing. Part III: Influence of wire alloys, gauges, and lengths on clasp behavior.
Commonly used, commercially available dental wires have been evaluated and ranked through stress-relaxation testing to given the clinician a basis for determining their use as retentive clasp arms. Clinical laboratory principles relative to the use of wire clasp arms have been discussed. Clinical experience with the cobalt-chrome-nickel wire retentive clasp arms used in the infrabulge approach over the last 8 years has been rewarding. These wire clasps have been every bit as effective as the cast bar clasps and have proven to be superior in terms of adjustability and resistance to fracture. The relation of active clasp length to retention and permanent deformation is a crucial one and should be a component of every philosophy of design and construction of removable partial dentures.
Experimental investigation of the geotechnical properties and microstructure of lime-stabilized saline soils under freeze-thaw cycling
Abstract The Song-Nen Plain in northeastern China holds one of the three largest expanses of soda saline-alkali soil in the world. Due to its disadvantageous geotechnical properties, the saline soil in this area is unable to meet the needs of construction projects. This study evaluates the stabilizing effect of adding lime to such soils. Specifically, it investigates how the physicochemical and mechanical properties and microstructure of soda saline-alkali soil are altered by lime and how these changes are affected by both freeze-thaw cycling and the duration of curing. The results reveal that adding lime to saline soil transforms clay particles into sand and silt particles and causes the pore size distribution (PSD) to become bimodal, with small-pore and macropore populations. An increase in lime content leads to an increase in the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) but a gradual decrease in both the cation exchange capacity (CEC) and plastic index. Freeze-thaw cycles break up coarse particles and aggregate finer particles, increasing the diameter of macropores and decreasing the USC; however, the effect on specimens with >9% lime is negligible. It is further shown that the geotechnical properties of the soil change immediately after the addition of lime, indicating that the cation exchange reaction takes place very quickly. Furthermore, the pozzolanic reaction leads to an increase in the percentage of sand-sized particles and a decrease in porosity after 28 days of curing. Overall, these results indicate that it is feasible to use lime to improve the engineering properties of soda saline-alkali soil in this area.