EVALUATION OF MICROHARDNESS OF A BRAND OF STAINLESS STEEL K FILES

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine and compare the microhardness values of a brand of stainless steel K files (Mani, Inc. Japan), acquired from Pakistan and United Kingdom, in accordance with AS 1411. This study was conducted at the Institute of Space Technology, Islamabad, over a period of two months. A total of 40 stainless-steel K files (Mani, Inc. Japan) of identical size (ISO#25), were collected and divided into two groups. Group A consisted of 20 K files purchased from the Rawalpindi/ Islamabad city in Pakistan, while Group B consisted of 20 K files that were purchased from London, United Kingdom. The microhardness of files belonging to both groups was determined using Vickers microhardness tester. The data were statistically analyzed using independent sample t test. No significant differences between microhardness values of Group A and B were found. However, substantial variations within each group were observed. Variations found between the identical file sizes of the same brand suggest that the manufacturing processes involved in the fabrication of endodontic files may not be prudently controlled.