Surface roughness and hardness of yttria stabilized zirconia (Y-TZP) after 10 years of simulated brushing

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Finite element analysis of the influence of geometry and design of zirconia crowns on stress distribution

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of the geometry and design of prosthetic crown preparations on stress distribution in compression tests, using finite element analysis (FEA). Materials and Methods: Six combinations of 3D drawings of all-ceramic crowns (yttria-stabilized zirconia framework and porcelain veneer) were evaluated: F, flat preparation and simplified crown; FC, flat preparation and crown with contact point; FCM, flat preparation and modified crown; A, anatomical preparation and simplified anatomical crown framework; AC, anatomical preparation and crown with contact point; and ACM, anatomical preparation and modified crown. Bonded contact types at all interfaces with the mesh were assigned, and the material properties used were according to the literature. A 200 N vertical load was applied at the center of each model. The maximum principal stresses were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed. Results: The highest values of tensile stress were observed at the interface between the ceramics in the region under the load application for the simplified models (F and A). Reductions in stress values were observed for the model with the anatomical preparation and modified infrastructure (ACM). The stress distribution in the flat models was similar to that of their respective anatomical models. Conclusions: The modified design of the zirconia coping reduces the stress concentration at the interface with the veneer ceramic, and the simplified preparation can exert a stress distribution similar to that of the anatomical preparation at and near the load point, when load is applied to the center of the crown.

Application of Micro-Raman Spectroscopy to the Study of Yttria-Stabilized Tetragonal Zirconia Polycrystal (Y-TZP) Phase Transformation

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

Bond strength and Raman analysis of the zirconia-feldspathic porcelain interface

The test groups were experimental zirconia, Zirkonzahn zirconia, and Schuetz zirconia. Blocks of partially sintered zirconia were cut into disks (n=20) and then veneered with a feldspathic porcelain. Half of the specimens from each group (n=10) were incubated in 37°C water for 24 hours, and the other half were thermocycled. All the specimens were then subjected to shear testing. The fractured areas were analyzed with optical stereomicroscopy and classified as adhesive, cohesive, or an adhesive-cohesive failure. Spectral patterns were examined to detect bands related to the zirconia and feldspathic porcelain phases. The shear strength data were submitted to 2-way ANOVA. Results No significant differences in shear bond strength were observed among the 3 groups, regardless of whether or not the specimens were thermocycled. Adhesive failures were the most prevalent types of failure (70%). Raman spectra were clearly distinguished for all the materials, which showed the presence of tetragonal and monoclinic phases. Conclusions The controlled production of the experimental zirconia did not influence the results of the bond strength. Raman analysis suggested a process of interdiffusion by the presence of peaks associated with the zirconia and feldspathic ceramics.

EFFECT of DIFFERENT SOLID AMOUNTS IN THE PHYSICAL and MICROSCOPICAL PROPERTIES of SiC POROUS CERAMICS

The presence of pores in ceramics is directly related to the chosen forming process. So, in the starch consolidation method, the ceramics show, after burning, pores with morphology similar to that presented by this organic material. on the other hand, the increase in solid load leads up to alterations in dispersion viscosity, increasing the thermal stresses during drying and sintering processes. In order to verify the solid percentage influence in ceramic final properties, samples were prepared with silicon carbide in different compositions using or not starch as binder agent and pore forming element. The characterization of the ceramic pieces was performed by superficial roughness measurements, porosity besides by optical and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed ceramics with SiC and starch presented physical and microscopic properties slightly higher in relation to those with only ceramic powder in their composition. The presence of organic material, agglomerated and foam during the forming were essential for the final properties of the studied samples.

Investigation of microwave dielectric relaxation solid state process in the antiferroelectric phase of NaNbO3 ceramics

This letter reports microwave dielectric measurements performed in the antiferroelectric phase of NaNbO3 ceramics from 100 to 450 K. Remarkable dielectric relaxation was found within the antiferroelectric phase and in the vicinity of the ferroelectric-antiferroelectric phase transition. Such dielectric relaxation process was associated with relaxations of polar nanoregions with strong relaxor-like characteristic. In addition, the microwave dielectric measurements also revealed an unexpected and unusual anomaly in the relaxation strength, which was related to a disruption of the antiferroelectric order induced by a possible AFE-AFE phase transition. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nucleation kinetics of crystalline phases from a kaolinitic body used in the processing of red ceramics

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

Influence of Tungsten Dopant on Sintering and Curie Temperatures of Ba(Zr0.10Ti0.90)O-3 Ceramics

Ba(Zr0.10Ti0.90)O3 (BZT10) and W+ 6 substituted BZT ceramics (BZT10:W) were prepared by mixed oxide method. The effect of W+ 6 addition in the BZT was evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), dilatometer analysis, microstructural and dielectrical properties. When tungsten is introduced in the BZT lattice, a decrease in the grain size and shift on Curie temperature to lower value besides broadening of dielectric permittivity is evident. This is due repulsion between tungsten and their nearest neighbors leading to a structure which is tetragonal distorted. The sintering temperature is reduced when tungsten is introduced in the BZT lattice.

GREEN MACHINING ORIENTED TO DIMINISH DENSITY GRADIENT FOR MINIMIZATION of DISTORTION IN ADVANCED CERAMICS

After sintering advanced ceramics, there are invariably distortions, caused in large part by the heterogeneous distribution of density gradients along the compacted piece. To correct distortions, machining is generally used to manufacture pieces within dimensional and geometric tolerances. Hence, narrow material removal limit conditions are applied, which minimize the generation of damage. Another alternative is machining the compacted piece before sintering, called the green ceramic stage, which allows machining without damage to mechanical strength. Since the greatest concentration of density gradients is located in the outer-most layers of the compacted piece, this study investigated the removal of different allowance values by means of green machining. The output variables are distortion after sintering, tool wear, cutting force, and the surface roughness of the green ceramics and the sintered ones. The following results have been noted: less distortion is verified in the sintered piece after 1mm allowance removal; and the higher the tool wear the worse the surface roughness of both green and sintered pieces.

Alumina porous ceramics: mathematical behavior at different commercial starch concentration

Several researches have been developed in order to verify the porosity effect over the ceramic material properties. The starch consolidation casting (SCC) allows to obtain porous ceramics by using starch as a binder and pore forming element. This work is intended to describe the porous mathematical behavior and the mechanical resistance at different commercial starch concentration. Ceramic samples were made with alumina and potato and corn starches. The slips were prepared with 10 to 50 wt% of starch. The specimens were characterized by apparent density measurements and three-point flexural test associated to Weibull statistics. Results indicated that the porosity showed a first-order exponential equation e(-x/c) increasing in both kinds of starches, so it was confirmed that the alumina ceramic porosity is related to the kind of starch used. The mechanical resistance is represented by a logarithmic expression R = A + B/1+10((Log(x0)-P)C).

Fractal characterization of brittle fracture in ceramics under mode I stress loading

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

Digital Light Microscopy of Macroporous Ceramics Processed by Consolidation Casting with Mixtures of Native Starches

Porosity in starch consolidation casting technique is rightly related to original size and morphology of starch granules, leaving a pore structure after burning out. This work reports the results for the addition of different native potato and corn starch proportions in suspension,; with TiO(2) (rutile) powder. Gelling temperature have been defined after observation under light microscopy using a heating stage. Analysis of porous network and isolated pores have been clone from images of samples surfaces obtained by depth from focus reconstruction, revealing a qualitative correlation of pores characteristics and starches additions in suspensions, suggesting that the presence of isolated or interconnected pores can be handled by starches selection to control the amylopectin and amylose contents in slurries. Also, the analysis of porous fraction distribution shows no consistent pattern through specimens' volume according to starches in mixtures.

Preparation of Al2TiO5-Al2O3 and Al2TiO5-Al2O3-TiO2 Ceramics by High-Energy Ball Milling and Sintering

The present work reports on the preparation of Al2O3-TiO2 ceramics by high-energy ball milling and sintering, varying the molar fraction in 1:1 and 3:1. The powder mixtures were processed in a planetary Fritsch P-5 ball mill using silicon nitride balls (10 mm diameter) and vials (225 mL), rotary speed of 250 rpm and a ball-to-powder weight ratio of 5:1. Samples were collected into the vial after different milling times. The milled powders were uniaxially compacted and sintered at 1300 and 1500 degrees C for 4h. The milled and sintered materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction and electron scanning microscopy (SEM). Results indicated that the intensity of Al2O3 and TiO2 peaks were reduced for longer milling times, suggesting that nanosized particles can be achieved. The densification of Al2O3-TiO2 ceramics was higher than 98% over the relative density in samples sintered at 1500 degrees C for 4h, which presented the formation of Al2TiO5.

Piezoelectric effect in composite polyurethane - Ferroelectric ceramics

Flexible and free-standing films of piezoelectric composites made up of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ceramic powder dispersed in a castor oil-based polyurethane (PU) matrix were obtained by spin coating and characterised as materials for sensor applications. The piezoelectric coefficients d(31) and d(33) were measured with the usual technique. The piezoelectric charge constant d(33) yields values up to less than or equal to 24 pC/N, even at lower PZT content (33 vol%). Some desirable properties like piezoelectricity, flexibility and good mechanical resistance show this new material to be a good alternative for use as sensors and actuators.

Infrared studies of the monoclinic-tetragonal phase transition in Pb(Zr, Ti)O-3 ceramics

Recently, the observation of a new monoclinic phase in the PbZr1-xTixO3 (PZT) system in the vicinity of the morphotropic phase boundary was reported. Investigations of this new phase were reported using different techniques such as high-resolution synchrotron x-ray powder diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. In this work, the monoclinic --> tetragonal phase transition in PbZr0.50Ti0.50O3 ceramics was studied using infrared spectroscopy between 1000 and 400 cm(-1). The four possible nu(1)-stretching modes (Ti-O and Zr-O stretch) in the BO6 octahedron in the ABO(3) structure of PZT in this region were monitored as a function of temperature. The lower-frequency mode nu(1)-(Zr-O) remains practically unaltered, while both intermediate nu(1)-(Ti-O) modes decrease linearly as temperature increases from 89 to 263 K. In contrast, the higher-frequency nu(1)-(Ti-O) and nu(1)-(Zr-O) modes present anomalous behaviour around 178 K. The singularity observed at this mode was associated with the monoclinic --> tetragonal phase transition in PbZr0.50Ti0.50O3 ceramics.