Simplified method for determining fracture toughness of two dental ceramics

Effect of processing methods on the chipping resistance of veneered zirconia

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the edge chipping resistance (R_eA) and the fracture toughness (K_C) of 3Y-TZP bilayers produced with the following materials/processing combinations: fluorapatite glass-ceramic applied on zirconia using the traditional layering and hot-pressing (press-on) techniques; feldspathic porcelain using rapid layer technology (RLT); and lithium disilicate glass-ceramic using CAD-on method. The influence of the cooling rate (slow and fast) was analyzed for layering and hot-pressing.

METHODS

Bilayer bars (25x4x2 mm) were made following manufacturers' instructions. The edge chipping test was performed in an universal testing machine, using a coupled Vickers indenter. R_eA was calculated dividing the critical load at fracture by the edge distance. Fracture toughness was calculated by a regression fit with a fixed slope of 1.5 correlating the critical chipping load regarding edge distance and also with indentation fracture (IF) method. Data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 5%).

RESULTS

R_eA and K_C was significantly higher for the CAD-on bilayers. RLT showed intermediate R_eA means, and layering and hot-pressing techniques showed the lowest R_eA values. For both processing methods there was no effect of the cooling protocol on the R_eA and fracture toughness.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a significant effect of the material/processing association on the edge chipping resistance and fracture toughness of the bilayers. There was no effect of the cooling protocol on the edge chipping resistance and fracture toughness for the specimens processed by both the layering and hot-pressing techniques.

Fracture toughness of different monolithic zirconia upon post-sintering processes

Background

Surface treatments are expected to be a reason for alteration in fracture resistance of zirconia. This study evaluated the effect of post-sintering processes on the fracture toughness of different types of monolithic zirconia.

Material and Methods

Classical- (Cz) and high-translucent (Hz) monolithic zirconia discs (1.2 mm thickness, 14 mm in Ø) were prepared, and randomly divided for surface treatments with 1) as-glazed (AG); 2) finished and polished (FP); 3) finished, polished, and overglazed (FPOG); and 4) finished, polished, and heat-treated (FPHT) technique (n=15/group). Fracture toughness (KIC) was determined with indentation fracture toughness method at load 1 kg for AG, FPOG and 10 kg for FP, FPHT with 15 sec dwelling time. Weibull analysis was applied for survival probability, Weibull modulus (m), and characteristic toughness (K0). Microstructures were examined with SEM and XRD. ANOVA and multiple comparisons were determined for significant differences (α=0.05).

Results

The mean±sd value of KIC (MPa.m1/2), m, and K0 were 1.60±0.19, 7.27, 1.71 for CzAG; 9.57±0.89, 9.97, 10.96 for CzFP; 1.61±0.15, 10.56, 1.68 for CzFPOG; 6.45±0.31, 20.31, 6.60 for CzFPHT; 1.45±0.13, 10.91, 1.51 for HzAG; 6.58±0.24, 27.00, 6.70 for HzFP; 1.24±0.05, 23.90, 1.27 for HzFPOG; and 5.07±0.16, 30.51, 5.15 for HzFPHT. The KIC was significantly affected by the post-sintering process, type of zirconia (p<0.05). The Cz indicated a significantly higher KIC than Hz. The FP significantly enhanced KIC, while OG was unable to raise KIC. HT reduced KIC due to reverse phase transformation.

Conclusions

Post-sintering processes caused alteration in fracture resistance of zirconia. Fracture toughness was enhanced with FP, but not with either OG or HT process for both Cz and Hz. Surface treatment of zirconia through a finished-polished process is recommended, while glazing and heat-treated are not suggested.

Key words:Fracture toughness, glazing, heat treatment, polishing, post-sintering process, zirconia.

Fracture Toughness Analysis of Ceramic and Resin Composite CAD/CAM Material

Objectives:

To evaluate and compare the fracture toughness of dental CAD/CAM materials of different material classes intended for in-office milling (glass ceramics, hybrid, resin composites) and the influence of aging on this property.

Methods and Materials:

The fracture toughness (critical intensity factor, KIc) values of 9 CAD/CAM restorative materials (Ambarino High-Class, Brilliant Crios, Cerasmart, exp. CAD/CAM composite, Katana Avencia, Lava Ultimate, VITA Enamic, IPS Empress CAD, and IPS e.max CAD) were determined using the SEVNB method in a four-point bending setup. Twenty bending bars of each material with a 4 × 3 cross and a minimum length of 12 mm were cut out of CAD/CAM milling blocks. Notching was done starting with a pre-cut and consecutive polishing and v-shaping with a razor blade, resulting in a final depth of v-shaped notches of between 0.8 and 1.2 mm. Half of the specimens were selected for initial fracture toughness measurements. The others were thermocycled in distilled water for 30,000× (5/55°C; 30-second dwell time) before testing. Specimen fracture surfaces were analyzed using confocal laser scanning microscopy.

Results:

All specimens for each material fractured into two fragments and showed the typical compression curl and brittle failure markings. Comparing initial KIc values, lithium disilicate ceramic IPS e.max CAD showed significantly the highest and leucite-reinforced ceramic IPS Empress CAD significantly the lowest KIc values (p&lt;0.001). All tested CAD/CAM materials with a resin component ranged in the same KIc value group (p&gt;0.999-0.060). After thermal cycling, the highest KIc values were measured for lithium disilicate ceramic IPS e.max CAD, followed by resin composite materials Ambarino High-Class (p&lt;0.001-0.006) and hybrid material VITA Enamic (p&lt;0.001-0.016), while the significantly lowest values were reflected for the resin composite materials Cerasmart, LAVA Ultimate (p&lt;0.001-0.006), and Katana Avencia (p&lt;0.001-0.009). The roughness of the fracture surfaces varied depending on the microstructure of the respective material. The ceramic surfaces showed the smoothest surfaces. The fracture surface of VITA Enamic revealed microstructural inhomogeneities and microcracks. For CAD/CAM resin composite materials, crack paths through the matrix and interfaces of matrix and fillers could be observed at the microstructure level.

Conclusions:

The materials tested show differences in fracture toughness typical for the class they belong to. With one exception (Ambarino High-Class), thermocycling affected the fracture toughness of materials with a resin component negatively, whereas the leucite and lithium disilicate ceramic showed stability.

Numerical Simulation of the Depth-Sensing Indentation Test with Knoop Indenter

Depth-sensing indentation (DSI) technique allows easy and reliable determination of two mechanical properties of materials: hardness and Young’s modulus. Most of the studies are focusing on the Vickers, Berkovich, and conical indenter geometries. In case of Knoop indenter, the existing experimental and numerical studies are scarce. The goal of the current study is to contribute for the understanding of the mechanical phenomena that occur in the material under Knoop indention, enhancing and facilitating the analysis of its results obtained in DSI tests. For this purpose, a finite element code, DD3IMP, was used to numerically simulate the Knoop indentation test. A finite element mesh was developed and optimized in order to attain accurate values of the mechanical properties. Also, a careful modeling of the Knoop indenter was performed to take into account the geometry and size of the imperfection (offset) of the indenter tip, as in real cases.