High temperature flexural strength and fracture toughness of AlN with Y(2)O(3) ceramic

The effects of temperature on the fast fracture behavior of aluminum nitride with 5 wt% Y(2)O(3) ceramic were investigated. Four-point flexural strength and fracture toughness were measured in air at several temperatures (30-1,300 A degrees C). The flexural strength gradually decreased with the increase of temperature up to 1,000 A degrees C due to the change in the fracture mode from transgranular to intergranular, and then became almost constant up to 1,300 A degrees C. Two main flaw types as fracture origin were identified: small surface flaw and large pores. The volume fraction of the large pores was only 0.01%; however, they limited the strength on about 50% of the specimens. The fracture toughness decreased slightly up to 800 A degrees C controlled by the elastic modulus change, and then decreased significantly at 1,000 A degrees C due to the decrease in the grain-boundary toughness. Above 1,000 A degrees C, the fracture toughness increased significantly, and at 1,300 A degrees C, its value was close to that measured at room temperature.

Opaque Layer Firing Temperature and Aging Effect on the Flexural Strength of Ceramic Fused to Cobalt-Chromium Alloy

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of the opaque layer firing temperature and mechanical and thermal cycling on the flexural strength of a ceramic fused to commercial cobalt-chromium alloy (Co-Cr). The hypotheses were that higher opaque layer temperatures increase the metal/ceramic bond strength and that aging reduces the bond strength. Materials and Methods: Metallic frameworks (25 x 3 x 0.5 mm(3); ISO 9693) (N = 60) were cast in Co-Cr and airborne-particle abraded (Al(2)O(3): 150 mu m) at the central area of the frameworks (8 x 3 mm(2)) and divided into three groups (N = 20), according to the opaque layer firing temperature: Gr1 (control)-900 degrees C; Gr2-950 degrees C; Gr3-1000 degrees C. The opaque ceramic (Opaque, Vita Zahnfabrick, Bad Sackingen, Germany) was applied, and the glass ceramic (Vita Omega 900, Vita Zahnfabrick) was fired onto it (thickness: 1 mm). While half the specimens from each group were randomly tested without aging (water storage: 37 degrees C/24 hours), the other half were mechanically loaded (20,000 cycles; 50 N load; distilled water at 37 degrees C) and thermocycled (3000 cycles; 5 degrees C to 55 degrees C, dwell time: 30 seconds). After the flexural strength test, failure types were noted. The data were analyzed using 2-way ANOVA and Tukey`s test (alpha = 0.05). Results: Gr2 (19.41 +/- 5.5 N) and Gr3 (20.6 +/- 5 N) presented higher values than Gr1 (13.3 +/- 1.6 N) (p = 0.001). Mechanical and thermal cycling did not significantly influence the mean flexural strength values (p > 0.05). Increasing the opaque layer firing temperature improved the flexural bond strength values (p < 0.05). The hypotheses were partially accepted. Conclusion: Increasing of the opaque layer firing temperature improved the flexural bond strength between ceramic fused to Co-Cr alloy.

Influence of thermal and mechanical cycling on the flexural strength of ceramics with titanium or gold alloy frameworks

Objectives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of thermal and mechanical cycling alone or in combination, on the flexural strength of ceramic and metallic frameworks cast in gold alloy or titanium. Methods. Metallic frameworks (25 mm x 3 mm x 0.5 mm) (N = 96) cast in gold alloy or commercial pure titanium (Ti cp) were obtained using acrylic templates. They were airborne particle-abraded with 150 mu m aluminum oxide at the central area of the frameworks (8 mm x 3 mm). Bonding agent and opaque were applied on the particle-abraded surfaces and the corresponding ceramic for each metal was fired onto them. The thickness of the ceramic layer was standardized by positioning the frameworks in a metallic template (height: I mm). The specimens from each ceramic-metal combination (N = 96, n = 12 per group) were randomly assigned into four experimental fatigue conditions, namely water storage at 37 degrees C for 24 h (control group), thermal cycling (3000 cycles, between 4 and 55 degrees C, dwell time: 10 s), mechanical cycling (20,000 cycles under 10 N load, immersion in distilled water at 37 degrees C) and, thermal and mechanical cycling. A flexural strength test was performed in a universal testing machine (crosshead speed: 1.5 mm/min). Data were statistically analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey`s test (alpha = 0.05). Results. The mean flexural strength values for the ceramic-gold alloy combination (55 +/- 7.2MPa) were significantly higher than those of the ceramic-Ti cp combination (32 +/- 6.7 MPa) regardless of the fatigue conditions performed (p < 0.05). Mechanical and thermo-mechanical fatigue decreased the flexural strength results significantly for both ceramic-gold alloy (52 +/- 6.6 and 53 +/- 5.6 MPa, respectively) and ceramic-Ti cp combinations (29 +/- 6.8 and 29 +/- 6.8 MPa, respectively) compared to the control group (58 +/- 7.8 and 39 SA MPa, for gold and Ti cp, respectively) (p < 0.05) (Tukey`s test). While ceramic-Ti cp combinations failed adhesively at the metal-opaque interface, gold alloy frameworks exhibited a residue of ceramic material on the surface in all experimental groups. Significance. Mechanical and thermo-mechanical fatigue conditions decreased the flexural strength values for both ceramic-gold alloy and ceramic-Ti cp combinations with the results being significantly lower for the latter in all experimental conditions. (C) 2007 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influence of BisGMA, TEGDMA, and BisEMA contents on viscosity, conversion, and flexural strength of experimental resins and composites

Different monomer structures lead to different physical and mechanical properties for both the monomers and the polymers. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of the bisphenylglycidyl dimethacrylate (BisGMA) concentration (33, 50 or 66 mol%) and the co-monomer content [triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), ethoxylated bisphenol-A dimethacrylate (BisEMA), or both in equal parts] on viscosity (eta), degree of conversion (DC), and flexural strength (FS). eta was measured using a viscometer, DC was obtained by Fourier transfer Raman (FT-Raman) spectroscopy, and FS was determined by three-point bending. At 50 and 66% BisGMA, increases in eta were observed following the partial and total substitution of TEGDMA by BisEMA. For 33% BisGMA, eta increased significantly only when no TEGDMA was present. The DC was influenced by BisGMA content and co-monomer type. Mixtures containing 66% BisGMA showed a lower DC compared with mixtures containing other concentrations of BisGMA. The BisEMA mixtures had a lower DC compared with the TEGDMA mixtures. The FS was influenced by co-monomer content only. BisEMA mixtures presented a statistically lower FS, followed by TEGDMA + BisEMA mixtures, and then by TEGDMA mixtures. Partial or total replacement of TEGDMA by BisEMA increased eta, which was associated with the observed decreases in DC and FS. Although the BisGMA content influenced the DC, it did not affect the FS results.

Effect of ion exchange on strength and slow crack growth of a dental porcelain

Objectives. To determine the effect of ion exchange on slow crack growth (SCG) parameters (n, stress corrosion susceptibility coefficient, and sigma(f0), scaling parameter) and Weibull parameters (m, Weibull modulus, and sigma(0), characteristic strength) of a dental porcelain. Methods. 160 porcelain discs were fabricated according to manufacturer`s instructions, polished through 1 mu m and divided into two groups: GC (control) and GI (submitted to an ion exchange procedure using a KNO(3) paste at 470 degrees C for 15 min). SCG parameters were determined by biaxial flexural strength test in artificial saliva at 37 degrees C using five constant stress rates (n =10). 20 specimens of each group were tested at 1 MPa/s to determine Weibull parameters. The SPT diagram was constructed using the least-squares fit of the strength data versus probability of failure. Results. Mean values of m and sigma(0) (95% confidence interval), n and sigma(f0) (standard deviation) were, respectively: 13.8 (10.1-18.8) and 60.4 (58.5 - 62.2), 24.1 (2.5) and 58.1 (0.01) for GC and 7.4 (5.3 -10.0) and 136.8 (129.1-144.7), 36.7 (7.3) and 127.9 (0.01) for GI. Fracture stresses (MPa) calculated using the SPT diagram for lifetimes of 1 day, 1 year and 10 years (at a 5% failure probability) were, respectively, 31.8, 24.9 and 22.7 for GC and 71.2, 60.6 and 56.9 for GI. Significance. For the porcelain tested, the ion exchange process improved strength and resistance to SCG, however, the material`s reliability decreased. The predicted fracture stress at 5% failure probability for a lifetime of 10 years was also higher for the ion treated group. (C) 009 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Flexural strength of acrylic resins polymerized by different cycles

Despite the large number of studies addressing the effect of microwave polymerization on the properties of acrylic resin, this method has received limited clinical acceptance. This study evaluated the influence of microwave polymerization on the flexural strength of a denture base resin. A conventional heat-polymerized (Classico), a microwave-polymerized (Onda-Cryl) and a autopolymerizing acrylic (Jet) resins were used. Five groups were established, according to polymerization cycles: A, B and C (Onda-Cryl, short cycle - 500W/3 min, long - 90W/13 min + 500W/90 see, and manufacturing microwave cycle - 320W/3 min + OW/3 min + 720W/3 min); T(Classico, water bath cycle - 74 degrees C/9h) and Q (Jet, press chamber cycle - 50 degrees C/15 min at 2 bar). Ten specimens (65 x 10 x 3.3 mm) were prepared for each cycle. The flexural strength of the five groups was measured using a three-point bending test at a cross-head speed of 5 mm/min. Flexural strength values were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and the Tukey's test was performed to identify the groups that were significantly different at 5% level. The microwave-polymerized groups showed the highest means (p<0.05) for flexural strength (MPa) (A = 106.97 +/- 5.31; B = 107.57 +/- 3.99; C = 109.63 +/- 5.19), and there were no significant differences among them. The heat-polymerized group (T) showed the lowest flexural strength means (84.40 +/- 1.68), and differ significantly from all groups. The specimens of a microwavable denture base resin could be polymerized by different microwave cycles without risk of decreasing the flexural strength.

Effect of disinfection and storage on the flexural strength of ocular prosthetic acrylic resins

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

The volumetric fraction of inorganic particles and the flexural strength of composites for posterior teeth

Objective. To evaluate the content of inorganic particles and the flexural strength of new condensable composites for posterior teeth in comparison to hybrid conventional composites.Method. The determination of the content of inorganic particles was performed by mass weighing of a polymerized composite before and after the elimination of the organic phase. The volumetric particle content was determined by a practical method based on Archimedes' principle, which calculates the volume of the composite and their particles by differential mass measured in the air and in water. The flexural. strength of three points was evaluated according to the norm ISO 4049:1988.Results. The results showed the following filter content: Alert, 67.26%; Z-100, 65.27%; Filtek P 60, 62.34%; Ariston pHc, 64.07%; Tetric Ceram, 57.22%; Definite, 54.42%; Solitaire, 47.76%. In the flexural strength test, the materials presented the following decreasing order of resistance: Filtek P 60 (170.02 MPa) > Z-100 (151.34 MPa) > Tetric Ceram (126.14 MPa) = Alert (124.89 MPa) > Ariston pHc (102.00 MPa) = Definite (93.63 MPa) > Solitaire (56.71 MPa).Conclusion. New condensable composites for posterior teeth present a concentration of inorganic particles similar to those of hybrid composites but do not necessarily present higher flexural strength. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. Alt rights reserved.

Effect of relining, water storage and cyclic loading on the flexural strength of a denture base acrylic resin

Objectives: This study investigated the effect of relining, water storage and cyclic loading on the ultimate flexural strength (FSU) and on the flexural strength at the proportional limit (FSPl) of a denture base acrylic resin (Lucitone 550-L).Methods: Rectangular bars of L were made (64 mm x 10 mm x 2 mm) and relined (1.3 mm) with four relining resins (Kooliner-K, Ufi Gel Hard-UGH, Tokuso Rebase Fast-TR and New Truliner-NT). In addition, specimens relined with L and intact L specimens were made (64 mm x 10 mm x 3.3 mm). A three-point flexural test was applied on the specimens (n = 10) after (1) polymerization; (2) water storage (30 days); (3) cyclic loading (10,000 cycles at 5 Hz) and (4) water storage (30 days) + cyclic loading. Data (MPa) were analyzed with three-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD tests (alpha = 0.05). To test for a possible correlation between FSU and FSPl, a linear regression coefficient 'r' was calculated.Results: After water storage, L-UGH and L-TR demonstrated an increased FSU (41.4950.64 MPa and 49.95-57.36 MPa, respectively) (P < 0.05). Only L-TR demonstrated an increased FSPl (20.58-24.21 MPa) after water storage (P < 0.05). L-L had the highest FSU (between 78.57 and 85.09 MPa) and FSPl (between 31.30 and 34.17 MPa) (P < 0.05). The cyclic loading decreased the FSU and FSPl of all materials (P < 0.05). Regression analysis showed a strong linear correlation between the two variables (r = 0.941).Conclusions: Water storage improved the FSU of L-UGH and L-TR and the FSPl of L-TR. L-L produced the highest FSU and FSPl. The FSU and FSPl of all materials were detrimentally influenced by cyclic loading.

Effect of microwave disinfection on the flexural strength of hard chairside reline resins

Objectives: This study investigated the effect of microwave disinfection (650 W/6 min) on the flexural strength of five hard chairside reline resins (Kooliner, Duraliner II, Tokuso Rebase Fast, Ufi Get Hard, New Truliner) and one denture base resin (Lucitone 550).Methods: Thirty-two specimens (3.1x10x64 mm) from each acrylic resin were produced and divided into four groups of eight specimens each. The flexural test was performed after polymerization (G1), after two cycles of microwave disinfection (G2), after 7 days storage in water at 37 degrees C (G3) and after seven cycles of microwave disinfection (G4). Specimens from group G4 were microwaved daily being stored in water at 37 degrees C between exposures. The specimens were placed in three-point bend fixture in a MTS machine and loaded until failure. The flexural values (MPa) were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey's test (p=0.05).Results: Two cycles of microwave disinfection promoted a significant increase in flexural strength for materials Kooliner and Lucitone 550. After seven cycles of microwave disinfection, materials Kooliner and New Truliner showed a significant increase (p<0.05) in flexural values. The flexural strength of the material Tokuso Rebase was not significantly affected by microwave irradiation. Seven cycles of microwave disinfection resulted in a significant decrease in the flexural strength of material Duraliner II. Material Ufi Get Hard was the only resin detrimentally affected by microwave disinfection after two and seven cycles.Conclusions: Microwave disinfection did not adversely affect the flexural strength of all tested materials with the exception of material Ufi Get Hard. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Flexural strength of acrylic resin repairs processed by different methods: water bath, microwave energy and chemical polymerization

Denture fractures are common in daily practice, causing inconvenience to the patient and to the dentists. Denture repairs should have adequate strength, dimensional stability and color match, and should be easily and quickly performed as well as relatively inexpensive. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the flexural strength of acrylic resin repairs processed by different methods: warm water-bath, microwave energy, and chemical polymerization. Material and methods: Sixty rectangular specimens (31x10x2.5 mm) were made with warm water-bath acrylic resin (Lucitone 550) and grouped (15 specimens per group) according to the resin type used to make repair procedure: 1) specimens of warm water-bath resin (Lucitone 550) without repair (control group); 2) specimens of warm water-bath resin repaired with warm water-bath; 3) specimens of warm water-bath resin repaired with microwave resin (Acron MC); 4) specimens of warm water-bath resin repaired with autopolymerized acrylic resin (Simplex). Flexural strength was measured with the three-point bending in a universal testing machine (MTS 810 Material Test System) with load cell of 100 kgf under constant speed of 5 mm/min. Data were analyzed statistically by Kruskal-Wallis test (p<0.05). Results: The control group showed the best result (156.04 +/- 1.82 MPa). Significant differences were found among repaired specimens and the results were decreasing as follows: group 3 (43.02 +/- 2.25 MPa), group 2 (36.21 +/- 1.20 MPa) and group 4 (6.74 +/- 0.85 MPa). Conclusion: All repaired specimens demonstrated lower flexural strength than the control group. Repairs with autopolymerized acrylic resin showed the lowest flexural strength.

Flexural strength and hardness of reline and denture base acrylic resins after different exposure times of microwave disinfection

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of microwave disinfection on the flexural strength and Vickers hardness of 4 autopolymerized resins (Kooliner [K], Tokuso Rebase Fast [T], Ufi Gel Hard [U], and New Truliner [N]) and 1 denture base resin (Lucitone 550 [L]). Method and Materials: For each material, 48 specimens (64 x 10 x 3.3 mm) were made and divided into 6 equal groups (n = 8). In the control group, specimens were untreated. Before testing, specimens were immersed in 200 mL of distilled water and submitted to disinfection for 1 of the following irradiation times: 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 minutes. The irradiation procedure was performed twice. The flexural strength was determined using a testing machine MTS-810 and measurements of Vickers hardness were made on Micromet 2100. The values were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey's test (P = .05). Results: The K material showed a significant increase (P = .0010) in flexural strength following 5 minutes of disinfection compared to control specimens. The flexural strength mean values of materials T, U, and N were not significantly affected (P > .05) by disinfection. Compared to the control group, the K material showed a significant increase in hardness (P < .001) following disinfection for 3, 4, and 5 minutes. For material U, disinfection for 4 and 5 minutes produced specimens with significantly increased hardness values (P < .001) compared to the control group. For material N, disinfection for 5 minutes resulted in significantly higher hardness values (P < .001) than the control group. Conclusion: Regardless of the irradiation time, the flexural strength and hardness of the materials evaluated were not detrimentally affected by microwave disinfection. (Quintessence Int 2008;39:833-840)

Effect of incorporation of 2-tert-butylaminoethyl methacrylate on flexural strength of a denture base acrylic resin

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

Influence of surface treatments on the flexural strength of denture base repair

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the flexural strength of repairs made with autopolymerising acrylic resin after different treatments of joint surfaces.Material and Methods: Fifty rectangular specimens were made with heat-polymerised acrylic resin and 40 were repaired with autopolymerising acrylic resin following joint surface treatments: group 1 (intact specimens), group 2 (chemical treatment: wetting with methyl-methacrylate for 180 s), group 3 (abraded with silicon carbide paper), group 4 (abraded and wetting with methyl-methacrylate for 180 s) and group 5 (without surface treatment). The flexural strength was measured by a three-point bending test using a universal testing machine with a 100 Kgf load cell in the centre of repair at 5 mm/min cross-head speed. All data were analysed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD test for multiple comparisons (p < 0.05).Results: Among repaired specimens, groups 2 and 4 had 66.53 +/- 3.4 and 69.38 +/- 1.8 MPa mean values and were similar. These groups had superior flexural strength than groups 3 and 5 that were similar and had 54.11 +/- 3.4 and 51.24 +/- 2.8 MPa mean values, respectively. Group 1 had a mean value of 108.30 +/- 2.8 MPa being the highest result.Conclusion: It can be concluded that the treatment of the joint surfaces with methyl-methacrylate increases the flexural strength of denture base repairs, although the strength is still lower than that observed for the intact denture base resin. Abrasion with sandpaper was not able to influence the flexural strength of repaired denture bases.