Mechanical properties of orthodontic wires derived by instrumented indentation testing (IIT) according to ISO 14577

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was the characterization of mechanical properties of representative types of orthodontic wires employing instrumented indentation testing (IIT) according to ISO 14577. METHODS: Segments were cut from ten wires. The first six are made of stainless steel (SS), two are made of Ni-Ti, and the last two are made of titanium molybdenum alloys (TMA). Then, the Martens hardness (HM), the Vickers hardness (HV(IT)) based on indentation hardness (H(IT)), the indentation modulus (E(IT)), the ratio of elastic to total work (η(IT)), and the traditional Vickers hardness (HV(1)) were measured by IIT. The results were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Student-Newman-Keuls (SNK) test at a = 0.05. The HV(IT) and HV(1) data were analyzed by paired t test (a = 0.05). RESULTS: SS wires showed the highest hardness followed by TMA and Ni-Ti alloys. However, all wires showed significantly lower HV(IT) compared to corresponding HV(1), a finding probably appended to elastic recovery around the indentation. E(IT) for all wires tested was determined much lower than the nominal values of the corresponding alloys due to the implication of residual stress field at the slope of unloading curve. Elastic to total work ratio was ranged from 45.8 to 64.4 % which is higher than that expected for ductile alloys (<30 %). CONCLUSIONS: The products tested illustrated significant differences in their mechanical properties. Although IIT provides reliable data for hardness and elastic index of materials tested, the intense residual stress field developed during the manufacturing process significantly affects the determination of modulus of elasticity.