Surface analysis of alumina ceramic exposed to shock waves produced by plasma expander

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Surface characterization of lithium disilicate ceramic after nonthermal plasma treatment

Statement of problem. Surface transformation with nonthermal plasma may be a suitable treatment for dental ceramics, because it does not affect the physical properties of the ceramic material.Purpose. The purpose of this study was to characterize the chemical composition of lithium disilicate ceramic and evaluate the surface of this material after nonthermal plasma treatment.Material and methods. A total of 21 specimens of lithium disilicate (10 mm in diameter and 3 mm thick) were fabricated and randomly divided into 3 groups (n=7) according to surface treatment. The control group was not subjected to any treatment except surface polishing with abrasive paper. In the hydrofluoric acid group, the specimens were subjected to hydrofluoric acid gel before silane application. Specimens in the nonthermal plasma group were subjected to the nonthermal plasma treatment. The contact angle was measured to calculate surface energy. In addition, superficial roughness was measured and was examined with scanning electron microscopy, and the chemical composition was characterized with energy-dispersive spectroscopy analysis. The results were analyzed with ANOVA and the Tukey honestly significant difference test (alpha=.05).Results. The water contact angle was decreased to 0 degrees after nonthermal plasma treatment. No significant difference in surface roughness was observed between the control and nonthermal plasma groups. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy images indicated higher amounts of oxygen (O) and silicon (Si) and a considerable reduction in carbon (C) in the specimens after nonthermal plasma treatment.Conclusions. Nonthermal plasma treatment can transform the characteristics of a ceramic surface without affecting its surface roughness. A reduction in C levels and an increase in 0 and Si levels were observed with the energy-dispersive spectroscopy analysis, indicating that the deposition of the thin silica film was efficient.

Characterization of a wollastonite glass-ceramic material prepared using sugar cane bagasse ash (SCBA) as one of the raw materials

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Study of ceramic block manufacture with the addition of waste from iron ore extraction

This work is intended to study the possibility of adding an amount of waste from iron mining in the ceramic mass. Clay and coal, from Vale do Paraiba, Sao Paulo, Brazil, were used in this research. These raw materials are used in the ceramic block manufacture. Clay and waste were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction, particle size, differential thermal and thermogravimetric analysis. Liquid limit and plasticity index tests were performed in order to determine the amount of waste that which should be used in the ceramic mass. After determining the amount of waste, all samples were uniaxially pressed and sintered at 900 degrees C. Surface roughness measurements, apparent porosity and bulk density technique and three-point flexural tests were also performed to characterize the samples. The results showed that by adding the exact amount of waste, which was determined by the essays, it is possible to manufacture solid bricks.

Evaluation of the shear bond strength of the union between two CoCr-alloys and a dental ceramic

Introduction: Based on the importance of the integrity of the metal/ceramic interface, the purpose of this work was to evaluate the shear bond strength of the metal-ceramic union of two Co-Cr alloys (Wirobond C, Bego; Remanium 2000, Dentaurum) combined with Omega 900 ceramic (Vita Zahnfabrik). Material and Method: Eleven cylindrical matrixes were made for each alloy, and the metallic portion was obtained with the lost wax casting technique with standardized waxing of 4mm of height and of 4mm of diameter. The ceramic was applied according to the manufacturer's recommendations with the aid of a teflon matrix that allowed its dimension to be standardized in the same size as the metallic portion. The specimens were submitted to the shear bond test in an universal testing machine (EMIC), with the aid of a device developed for such intention, and constant speed of 0.5mm/min. Results and Conclusions: The mean resistance was 48.387MPa for Wirobond C alloy, with standard deviation of 17.718, and 55.956MPa for Remanium 2000, with standard deviation of 17.198. No statistically significant difference was observed between the shear strength of the two metal-ceramic alloys.

Study of thermocycling effect on the bond strength between an aluminous ceramic and a resin cement

This study evaluated the effect of thermocycling on the bond strength between Procera AllCeram (Nobel-Biocare) and a resin cement (Panavia F, Kuraray CO). Nine ceramic blocks with dimensions of 5x6x6mm were conditioned at one face with Rocatec System (Espe). After, they were luted with Panavia F to composite resin blocks (Clearfil AP-X, Kuraray CO). The nine groups formed by ceramic, cement and composite resin were split up obtaining 75 samples with dimensions of 12x1x1mm and adhesive surface presenting 1mm2±0.1mm2 of area. The samples were divided into 3 groups (n=25): G1 - 14 days in distilled water at 37ºC; G2 – 6,000 cycles in water (5ºC - 55ºC – 30s); G3 – 12,000 cycles in water (5ºC - 55ºC – 30s). The samples were tested in a universal testing machine (EMIC) at a crosshead speed of 1mm/min. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey tests. The results indicated that mean values of rupture tension (MPa) of G1 (10.71 ± 3.54) did not differ statistically (p <5%) from G2 (9.01 ± 3.90), however there was statistical difference between G1 and G3 (7.28 ± 3.00). It was concluded that thermocycling significantly reduced the bond strength values when samples were submitted to 12,000 cycles.

The importance of the lifelike esthetic appearance of all-ceramic restorations on anterior teeth

The success of rehabilitation will not depend on just clinical procedures. A proper dental technique (ceramist) is required as well as the respect for some biomimetic principles to obtain the desired final result. This study has the purpose of describing a prosthetic rehabilitation with laminate veneers and all-ceramic crowns of a patient unsatisfied with a previous esthetic treatment because of the negligence of some biomimetic principles. A 45-year-old female patient was admitted to the dental clinic complaining about the lifelike appearance of her all-ceramic restorations. Before the fabrication of new restorations, a mock-up was conducted to verify the patient's satisfaction. A ceramist conducted all the fabrication process so that surface characterizations could be visually verified and the lifelike appearance of natural tooth could be reproduced. After the cementation procedure, the patient reported being satisfied with the lifelike appearance of the new restorations. Based on the clinical findings of the present case report, it can be concluded that the reproduction of the lifelike esthetic appearance of natural teeth and the visualization of the final results before definitive procedures are essential to obtain the clinical success.

Heat treatment of pre-hydrolyzed silane increases adhesion of phosphate monomer-based resin cement to glass ceramic

This study evaluated the influence of different forms of heat treatment on a pre-hydrolyzed silane to improve the adhesion of phosphate monomer-based (MDP) resin cement to glass ceramic. Resin and feldspathic ceramic blocks (n=48, n=6 for bond test, n=2 for microscopy) were randomly divided into 6 groups and subject to surface treatments: G1: Hydrofluoric acid (HF) 9.6% for 20 s + Silane + MDP resin cement (Panavia F); G2: HF 9.6% for 20 s + Silane + Heat Treatment (oven) + Panavia F; G3: Silane + Heat Treatment (oven) + Panavia F; G4: HF 9.6% for 20 s + Silane + Heat Treatment (hot air) + Panavia F; G5: Silane + Heat Treatment (hot air) + Panavia F; G6: Silane + Panavia F. Microtensile bond strength (MTBS) test was performed using a universal testing machine (1 mm/min). After debonding, the substrate and adherent surfaces were analyzed using stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM) to categorize the failure types. Data were analyzed statistically using two-way test ANOVA and Tukey's test (=0.05). Heat treatment of the silane containing MDP, with prior etching with HF (G2: 13.15 ± 0.89a; G4: 12.58 ± 1.03a) presented significantly higher bond strength values than the control group (G1: 9.16 ± 0.64b). The groups without prior etching (G3: 10.47 ± 0.70b; G5: 9.47 ± 0.32b) showed statistically similar bond strength values between them and the control group (G1). The silane application without prior etching and heat treatment resulted in the lowest mean bond strength (G6: 8.05 ± 0.37c). SEM analysis showed predominantly adhesive failures and EDS analysis showed common elements of spectra (Si, Na, Al, K, O, C) characterizing the microstructure of the glass-ceramic studied. Heat treatment of the pre-hydrolyzed silane containing MDP in an oven at 100 °C for 2 min or with hot air application at 50 ± 5 ºC for 1 min, was effective in increasing the bond strength values between the ceramic and resin cement containing MDP.

Bone Ceramic® at implants installed immediately into extraction sockets in the molar region: an experimental study in dogs

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

The occurrence of UV filters in natural and drinking water in São Paulo State (Brazil)

Ultraviolet (UV) filters are widely used in the formulation of personal care products (PCPs) to prevent damage to the skin, lips, and hair caused by excessive UV radiation. Therefore, large amounts of these substances are released daily into the aquatic environment through either recreational activities or the release of domestic sewage. The concern regarding the presence of such substances in the environment and the exposure of aquatic organisms is based on their potential for bioaccumulation and their potential as endocrine disruptors. Although there are several reports regarding the occurrence and fate of UV filters in the aquatic environment, these compounds are still overlooked in tropical areas. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of the organic UV filters benzophenone-3 (BP-3), ethylhexyl salicylate (ES), ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (EHMC), and octocrylene (OC) in six water treatment plants in various cities in Southeast Brazil over a period of 6 months to 1 year. All of the UV filters studied were detected at some time during the sampling period; however, only EHMC and BP-3 were found in quantifiable concentrations, ranging from 55 to 101 and 18 to 115 ng L(-1), respectively. Seasonal variation of BP-3 was most clearly noticed in the water treatment plant in Araraquara, São Paulo, where sampling was performed for 12 months. BP-3 was not quantifiable in winter but was quantifiable in summer. The levels of BP-3 were in the same range in raw, treated and chlorinated water, indicating that the compound was not removed by the water treatment process.

Oxygen mobility in Bi:Sr:Ca:Cu:O ceramic measured using anelastic relaxation methods

Since the discovery of YBaCuO, experiments have shown that its superconducting properties are strongly affected by the oxygen content. More recently, anelastic relaxation measurements in La2CuO4+δ, showed that the decrease in the oxygen content can be related to two events. One is the decrease in mobility between two adjacent CuO planes, and the other is the increase in the number of tilting patterns of the CuO6 octahedra. In the case of the bismuth-based ceramic, it is known that the oxygen content, within some limits, does not affect its superconducting properties. In order to evaluate the mobility and the effect of the oxygen content on this material we have prepared BSCCO ceramic and tested regarding its internal friction and electrical resistivity as a function of the temperature while the oxygen content was being reduced by a sequence of vacuum annelaing at 620 K. The samples were prepared in the Bi:Sr:Ca:Cu = 2212 and 2223 proportion, using powder obtained by the sol-gel route and conventional solid state reaction. The anelastic relaxation measurements were performed using a torsion pendulum operating with frequency about 15-35 Hz between 77 to 700 K. The diffraction pattern of the as sintered and the vacuum annealed material were also presented. The results have shown complex anelastic relaxation structures that were associated to the jump of interstitial oxygen atoms between two adjacent CuO planes. The vacuum annealing showed to be deleterious to the critical temperature of the superconducting ceramic.

Influence of physical protectors with different filters on the initial development of Peltophorum dubium (Spreng.) Taub seedlings

The use of physical protectors has been considered as an efficient technique for tillage farming of different species, mainly native ones. Based on the importance of the species, Peltophorum dubium for revegetation of degraded areas, this study evaluated the emergence, survival and initial development of P. dubium seedlings under the influence of physical protectors with different filters. Thus, the following treatments were adopted: absence of physical protector (APP), transparent physical protector (TPP), transparent physical protector + blue cellophane (BPP) and transparent physical protector + red cellophane (RPP). The evaluated characteristics were: emergence velocity index (EVI), seedling survival and emergence percentage, plant height, leaf area and root collar diameter. All of these physical protectors increased the mean values of EVI and survival. In conclusion, the emergence speed and initial development of P. dubium (Spreng.) seedlings grown in the interior of physical protectors, independent on the filters, presented positive results. The reduction on the light intensity interferes positively in the initial growth of these plants.