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A numerical method for predicting the bending fatigue life of NiTi and stainless steel root canal instruments
Author(s) -
Cheung G. S. P.,
Zhang E. W.,
Zheng Y. F.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
international endodontic journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.988
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1365-2591
pISSN - 0143-2885
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2591.2010.01838.x
Subject(s) - nickel titanium , root canal , materials science , finite element method , bending , cyclic stress , fracture (geology) , low cycle fatigue , structural engineering , fatigue testing , orthodontics , metallurgy , composite material , engineering , medicine , shape memory alloy
Cheung GSP, Zhang EW, Zheng YF. A numerical method for predicting the bending fatigue life of NiTi and stainless steel root canal instruments. International Endodontic Journal . Abstract Aim To evaluate the bending fatigue lifetime of nickel–titanium alloy (NiTi) and stainless steel (SS) endodontic files using finite element analysis. Methodology The strain‐life approach was adopted and two theoretical geometry profiles, the triangular (TR) and the square cross‐sections, were considered. Both low‐cycle fatigue (LCF) lifetime and high‐cycle fatigue (HCF) lifetime were evaluated. Results The bending fatigue behaviour was affected by the material property and the cross‐sectional configuration of the instrument. Both the cross‐section factor and material property had a substantial impact on fatigue lifetime. The NiTi material and TR geometry profiles were associated with better fatigue resistance than that of SS and square cross‐sections. Conclusions Within the limitations of this study, finite element models were established for endodontic files to prejudge their fatigue lifetime, a tool that would be useful for dentist to prevent premature fatigue fracture of endodontic files.