Abstract: A process for making metal castings, comprising the steps of(a) preparing an alloy from at least two different metals;(b) forming the alloy into a powder;(c) optionally combining the powder with a lubricant and/or flux;(d) pressing the powder into pellets;(e) melting one or more of the pellets;(f) casting the molten alloy into the mold;(g) cooling the metal casting.This process allows for the production of alloy castings even from high melting poorly soluble metals. The use of pellets containing a lubricant and/or flux is preferred. In addition the pellets may contain deoxidizers, grain refiners, and/or oxidizers. The process is especially suitable for the manufacture of dental, jewelry and precision castings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to alloys containing about 50-90% palladium, 0-37% gold, 0-3% platinum, 0-35% silver, 0.5-8% gallium, 0-8% tin, and up to 0.2% of a grain refiner selected from the group consisting of iridium, rhenium and ruthenium, or mixtures thereof. In order to withstand the forces of mastication over long spans or cantilever sections, the alloys are more rigid than conventional palladium based alloys. The alloys may be utilized for conventional crown and bridgework or may be fabricated into a number of different prostheses for use on dental implants. These applications include, for example, metal base plates for dentures, metal retaining bars for removable or fixed removable dentures, full metal coverage crowns and bridges, and metal substructures to be veneered with resin or porcelain materials.