Orthodontic wire of titanium-molybdenum alloy with a surface layer containing titanium nitrides, providing elevated mechanical characteristics and low coefficient of friction

摘要

Orthodontic wire is made of a material with elevated mechanical performance and a very low coefficient of friction on the attachments stuck on teeth for orthodontic treatment. It has a base structure of a titanium-molybdenum alloy which contains, in its outer surface layer, some titanium nitrides (TiN, TiN2) without any titanium oxide. An Independent claim is also included for the production of this orthodontic wire in which the nitrides are produced by a surface treatment in a vacuum enclosure at low temperatures (450 degrees C maximum).