Quantum mechanical analysis of yttrium-stabilized zirconia and alumina: implications for mechanical performance of esthetic crowns.

BACKGROUND: Yttrium-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and alumina are the most commonly used dental esthetic crown materials. This study aimed to provide detailed information on the comparison between yttrium-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and alumina, the two materials most often used for esthetic crowns in dentistry. METHODOLOGY: The ground-state energy of the materials was calculated using the Cambridge Serial Total Energy Package (CASTEP) code, which employs a first-principles method based on density functional theory (DFT). The electronic exchange-correlation energy was evaluated using the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) within the Perdew (Burke) Ernzerhof scheme. RESULTS: Optimization of the geometries and investigation of the optical properties, dynamic stability, band structures, refractive indices, and mechanical properties of these materials contribute to a holistic understanding of these materials. Geometric optimization of YSZ provides important insights into its dynamic stability based on observations of its crystal structure and polyhedral geometry, which show stable configurations. Alumina exhibits a distinctive charge, kinetic, and potential (CKP) geometry, which contributes to its interesting structural framework and molecular-level stability. The optical properties of alumina were evaluated using pseudo-atomic computations, demonstrating its responsiveness to external stimuli. The refractive indices, reflectance, and dielectric functions indicate that the transmission of light by alumina depends on numerous factors that are essential for the optical performance of alumina as a material for esthetic crowns. The band structures of both the materials were explored, and the band gap of alumina was determined to be 5.853 eV. In addition, the band structure describes electronic transitions that influence the conductivity and optical properties of a material. The stability of alumina can be deduced from its bandgap, an essential property that determines its use as a dental material. Refractive indices are vital optical properties of esthetic crown materials. Therefore, the ability to understand their refractive-index graphs explains their transparency and color distortion through how the material responds to light..The regulated absorption characteristics exhibited by YSZ render it a highly attractive option for the development of esthetic crowns, as it guarantees minimal color distortion. CONCLUSION: The acceptability of materials for esthetic crowns is strongly determined by mechanical properties such as elastic stiffness constants, Young's modulus, and shear modulus. YSZ is a highly durable material for dental applications, owing to its superior mechanical strength.

Preparation of Bi2O3-YSZ and YSB-YSZ Composite Powders by a Microemulsion Method and Their Performance as Electrolytes in a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell.

Bi2O3 is a promising sintering additive for YSZ that not only decreases its sintering temperature but also increases its ionic conductivity. However, Bi2O3 preferably grows into large-sized rods. Moreover, the addition of Bi2O3 induces phase instability of YSZ and the precipitation of monoclinic ZrO2, which is unfavorable for the electrical property. In order to precisely control the morphology and size of Bi2O3, a microemulsion method was introduced. Spherical Bi2O3 nanoparticles were obtained from the formation of microemulsion bubbles at the water-oil interface due to the interaction between the two surfactants. Nanosized Bi2O3-YSZ composite powders with good mixing uniformity dramatically decreased the sintering temperature of YSZ to 1000 °C. Y2O3-stabilized Bi2O3 (YSB)-YSZ composite powders were also fabricated, which did not affect the phase of YSZ but decreased its sintering temperature. Meanwhile, the oxygen vacancy concentration further increased to 64.9% of the total oxygen with the addition of 5 mol% YSB. In addition, its ionic conductivity reached 0.027 S·cm-1 at 800 °C, one order of magnitude higher than that of YSZ. This work provides a new strategy to simultaneously decrease the sintering temperature, stabilize the phase and increase the conductivity of YSZ electrolytes.

High-versus low-viscosity resin cements: Its effect on the load-bearing capacity under fatigue of a translucent zirconia.

The purpose of the present study was to characterize the elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio of a resin cement with distinct viscosities, and to evaluate their impact on the static and fatigue strength of a translucent zirconia (4Y-PSZ) after air-abrasion surface treatment. Bar-shaped specimens of two different viscosities of resin cement (high and low) were obtained (25 × 10 × 3 mm). Sonelastic and Maxwell principles tests were performed to determine the elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio of each resin cement. Disc-shaped specimens of 4Y-PSZ were made (Ø = 15 mm, 1.2 mm in thickness) for the mechanical tests and allocated into groups according to two factors: surface treatment (presence or absence of air-abrasion with alumina particles; 45 µm grain-size); cement (absence, low or high viscosity). The static (n = 10) and cyclical (n = 15) biaxial flexural strength tests were performed by piston-on-three-balls geometry. A fatigue strength test was executed (20 Hz, initial stress of 60 MPa [12% of the mean static biaxial flexural strength], followed by increments of 25 MPa [5% of the mean static biaxial flexural strength] at each step of 10,000 cycles until the failure). The obtained data were analyzed by Weibull analysis. Survival rates were tabulated by the Kaplan-Meier test. Complementary analyses of surface roughness, topography, cross-sectional interfacial zone, fractography, and zirconia crystalline content (X-ray diffraction) were also performed. The evaluated resin cements with high and low viscosity presented similar elastic modulus (13.63 GPa; 12.74 GPa) and Poisson's ratio (0.32; 0.30), respectively. The air-abraded groups depicted higher mechanical strength of the zirconia ceramics than non-abraded groups (p˂ 0.05), regardless of the resin cement. 4Y-PSZ adhesively bonded to a high or low viscosity resin cement have statistically similar behavior (p˃ 0.05). The mechanical structural reliability of the 4Y-PSZ was not affected by the factors. Therefore, resin cement with high and low viscosity presented similar properties and potential to fill the zirconia surface, and did not affect the mechanical behavior of 4Y-PSZ. However, the air-abrasion surface treatment increased the static and fatigue flexural strength of the translucent zirconia.

Pigmentation techniques of a 4YSZ: Effect on the fatigue mechanical behavior of a 4YSZ adhesively luted onto dentin analog.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the effect of pigmentation techniques on the fatigue behavior of a 4YSZ ceramic adhesively luted onto dentin analog (glass fiber-reinforced epoxy resin). METHODS: 4YSZ ceramic discs (Ø= 10 mm, 1 mm thickness) were allocated into 5 groups: Ctrl - unshaded (IPS e.max ZirCAD MT BL); Manuf - shaded by the manufacturer (IPS e.max ZirCAD MT A2); Brush - unshaded pigmented, pre-sintering, using a brush; Stain - unshaded pigmented, post-sintering, during glaze application; Brush+Stain - combination of both techniques. Color assessments ensured the same perceived color (Vita Classical A2). Dentin analog discs (Ø= 10 mm, 2.5 mm thickness) were obtained, paired with the 4YSZ discs, and adhesively luted using a resin cement. Cyclic fatigue testing (n = 15) was run (20 Hz; 10,000 cycles/step, initial load 200 N; step-size 100 N up to 700 N; then 50 N until specimen failure). Fractographic, roughness and topography analyses were performed. RESULTS: No statistical (p > 0.05) detrimental influence were observed for fatigue outcomes (Ctrl = Manuf = Brush = Stain = Brush+Stain). However, the Brush+Stain technique induced inferior statistical (p < 0.05) fatigue performance compared to Stain. All failures were radial cracks with origin at the ceramic intaglio surface. The staining technique triggered statistically higher roughness (p < 0.05). Uniformly sized zirconia crystals were seen in the Ctrl, Manuf and Brush groups, and a smooth vitreous surface with encrusted pigments in the Stain and Brush+Stain groups. SIGNIFICANCE: Pigmentation techniques (Vita Classical A2 shade) have no detrimental effect on the mechanical fatigue properties of 4YSZ ceramic adhesively luted onto dentin analog.

In-lab simulation of CAD/CAM grinding and intaglio surface treatments of 4YSZ monolithic restorations: Effect on its load-bearing capacity under fatigue.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of in-lab simulation of CAD/CAM grinding and intaglio surface treatments on the surface characteristics (topography and roughness) and fatigue behavior of adhesively luted 4YSZ simplified restorations. METHODS: Ceramic discs (Ø = 10 mm, thickness = 1 mm) were randomly allocated into 6 groups considering: "In-lab simulation of CAD/CAM grinding" (ground or polished) and "intaglio surface treatments": Ctrl (without surface treatment), AlOx (aluminum oxide air abrasion) or GLZ (glaze spray application). The surface roughness of all samples was measured, the treated discs received a ceramic primer, were luted with resin cement onto a dentin analogue material (woven glass-reinforced epoxy resin) and tested under a cyclic fatigue test (step-stress approach, n = 15; 1.4 Hz, 10,000 cycles/step, step-size of 100N starting at 200N until failure). A complementary analysis was performed to corroborate the findings in the fatigue test that the glaze fill defects increase the mechanical properties of the ceramic. To do so, bars (n= 10; 1.0 × 1.0 × 12 mm; considering the groups: N-ID: non-indented; ID: indented; ID-GLZ: indented plus glaze spray application) were indented in a vickers hardness tester to produce a crack pattern, treated with glaze or not, and then submitted to flexural strength tests (FS). Fractographic and topographic analysis were performed. RESULTS: In-lab simulation of CAD/CAM grinding decreased the fatigue failure load of the 4YSZ ceramic when comparing polished and ground groups, regardless of surface treatment. GLZ induced better fatigue performance compared to the air abrasion, regardless of the grinding condition (ground or polished surface). The results of the flexural strength test corroborated the findings in the fatigue test, as the ID-GLZ group presented superior FS than the ID group, however both had inferior FS than N-ID. There is an inverse association between roughness and fatigue failure load, as the higher the surface roughness, the lower the fatigue failure load. Failures in the fatigue and flexural strength tests started from the face subjected to tensile stresses. CONCLUSION: In-lab simulation of CAD/CAM grinding had a detrimental effect on the fatigue behavior of 4YSZ and glaze spray induced better 4YSZ performance compared to the air abrasion. The intaglio surface treatments differently influenced the 4YSZ fatigue performance, however, only glaze spray can reverse the damage caused by the grinding.

Pre-sintering pigmentation techniques do not affect the fatigue behavior of adhesively luted 4YSZ restorations.

This study aims to characterize the effect of shading techniques on the fatigue behavior of a 4YSZ ceramic (4 mol% yttrium stabilized zirconia) adhesively bonded to a dentin analogue (fiber-reinforced epoxy resin). 4YSZ ceramic discs (IPS e.max ZirCAD, Ø = 10 mm and 1 mm of thickness) were allocated according to the factor 'shading technique' into 4 groups: Brush- unshaded ceramic disc (IPS e.max ZirCAD BL) pigmented at the pre-sintered stage with pigment solution applied manually using a round liner brush; Immersion- unshaded ceramic disc pigmented through immersion in the solution for 1 s on only one side of the ceramic disc; Manufacturer- specimens already shaded by the manufacturer (IPS e.max ZirCAD MT A2 - Manufacturer group); Control- a control condition with absence of pigment (i.e. non-pigmented specimens). The specimens were sintered and a spectrophotometer (SP60, EX- Rite) was used to ensure that the same perceived color (i.e. pigment saturation) was achieved in the different shading strategies (Manufacturer, Brush or Immersion groups). To do so, the color differences (ΔE00) were calculated using the CIEDE 2000 equation; and an ΔE00 of up to 1.77 was considered as an acceptability threshold. Dentin analogue discs were obtained (Ø = 10 mm and 2.5 mm of thickness) and randomly allocated into pairs with the 4YSZ ceramic discs. Next, the pairs were adhesively bonded using a resin cement (Multilink N). The bonded assemblies (n = 15) were tested for fatigue using the step-stress test method (frequency of 20 Hz; 10,000 cycles per step, initial load 200 N; step-size of 100 N, up to 700 N; and after, step-size of 50 N, until specimen failure/fracture or radial cracks). Fatigue failure load (FFL) and number of cycles for failure (CFF) were recorded for statistical analysis. Fractographic features were accessed, and complementary roughness, topography, grain size and phase content analyses were performed. No statistical differences were observed in the fatigue behavior among the non-shaded condition (Control group - 880 N) and the shaded specimens (Manufacturer - 887 N, Brush - 820 N, and Immersion - 850 N groups; p > 0.05). However, the use of a brush shading technique induced slightly inferior fatigue mechanical behavior of the restorative set compared to the specimens already shaded by the manufacturer (p = 0.027). No differences in Weibull modulus were observed among the tested groups. The specimens pigmented by the brush technique demonstrated a rougher surface, with statistically higher Rz values, in addition to a larger grain size in comparison to all other conditions (p< 0.05). No m-phase content was identified (only t and c phases were detected). Thus, the shading techniques used to provide a Vita classic A2 shade does not negatively affect the mechanical fatigue properties of a bonded 4YSZ ceramic. However, the brush technique has detrimental effect on the fatigue behavior compared to when the ceramic was already provided in a shaded format by its manufacturer.

Effect of different zirconia surface pretreatments on the flexural strength of veneered Y-TZP ceramic before and after in vitro aging.

PURPOSE: The investigation of zirconia core surface pretreatments on the flexural strength of bilayered zirconia ceramics before and after artificial accelerating aging. METHODS: Ninety bar-shaped specimens were manufactured from Yttria Stabilized Tetragonal Zirconia Polycrystal (Y-TZP) and divided in three groups depending on zirconia surface pretreatment before veneering: layering with liner, pretreatment with silane-containing gas flame (SGF) with the Silano-Pen device and alumina air-abrasion. Half of the veneered specimens in each group (n=15) underwent artificial accelerating aging. A 4-point bending test was performed to determine flexural strength. Three specimens from each group were further analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) before veneering and after fracture (aged and non-aged subgroups). RESULTS: Alumina air-abrasion was correlated to increased phase transformation from tetragonal to monoclinic zirconia phase. Qualitative analysis revealed that with the majority of the specimens pretreated with the silane-containing gas flame, areas of the veneering material remained firmly attached to the zirconia core after flexural strength testing. There was no statistically significant difference on the flexural strength among the groups before or after aging. Artificial accelerating aging resulted in statistically significant higher flexural strength of the specimens after aging. CONCLUSION: SGF pretreatment can be an acceptable and feasible alternative method before the veneering of Y-TZP zirconia as it presented slightly higher bond strength compared with alumina air-abrasion which was associated with higher tetragonal to monoclinic (t→m) phase transformation. Accelerating aging leads to an increase of the mechanical properties under in vitro conditions.

Grinding and polishing of the inner surface of monolithic simplified restorations made of zirconia polycrystals and lithium disilicate glass-ceramic: Effects on the load-bearing capacity under fatigue of the bonded restorations.

This study evaluated the effect of grinding and polishing the inner surface of monolithic discs made of zirconia polycrystals (ZR) and lithium disilicate glass-ceramic (LD) on the load-bearing capacity under fatigue of the restorations bonded onto a dentin analogue material (epoxy resin). ZR and LD ceramic discs (10 mm in diameter, 1 mm in thickness) were produced and randomly allocated into 10 groups considering the internal adjustment approach: Ctrl - No adjustment; F - Grinding with fine diamond bur (46 µm); F + Pol - Grinding with fine diamond bur followed by polishing with 2 tips (finisher and polisher); FF - Grinding with extrafine diamond bur (30 µm); FF + Pol - Grinding with extrafine diamond bur followed by polishing. In addition, discs (10 mm in diameter, 2.5 mm in thickness) of fiber reinforced epoxy resin were produced. Afterwards, the intaglio surface of the ZR discs were air-abraded with 45 µm alumina particles for 10 s, the LD and resin epoxy discs were etched with hydrofluoric acid (5%/20 s and 10%/60 s, respectively), and the treated discs were primed as recommended. Each ceramic disc was luted onto the epoxy resin disc with resin cement. Then, the samples were tested under a step-stress fatigue test (20 Hz, 10,000 cycles/step, step-size of 100 N starting at 200 N, and proceeding until failure detection). Fractographic, topographic and surface roughness analysis were also performed. The adjustments (grinding with or without polishing) (ZR: 733-880 N; LD: 1040-1106 N) triggered a detrimental effect on the fatigue behavior in both ceramics compared with the absence of treatment (control group; ZR: 973 N; LD: 1406 N). The polishing step had no effect on fatigue findings. Thus, grinding the inner surface of the tested ceramics should be avoided wherever possible to prevent introducing damage and its detrimental effects on the fatigue behavior.

Surface treatments and its effects on the fatigue behavior of a 5% mol yttria partially stabilized zirconia material.

This study evaluated the effect of distinct surface treatments on the fatigue behavior (biaxial flexural fatigue testing) and surface characteristics (topography and roughness) of a 5% mol yttria partially stabilized zirconia ceramic (5Y-PSZ). Disc-shaped specimens of 5Y-PSZ (IPS e.max ZirCAD MT Multi) were manufactured (ISO 6872-2015) and allocated into six groups (n = 15) considering the following surface treatments: Ctrl - no-treatment; GLZ - low-fusing porcelain glaze application; SNF - 5 nm SiO2 nanofilm; AlOx - aluminum oxide particle air-abrasion; SiC - silica-coated aluminum oxide particles (silica-coating); and 7%Si - 7% silica-coated aluminum oxide particles (silica-coating). The biaxial flexural fatigue tests were performed by the step-stress method (20Hz for 10,000 cycles) with a step increment of 50N starting at 100N and proceeding until failure detection. The samples were tested with the treated surface facing down (tensile stress side). Topography, fractography, roughness, and phase content assessments of treated specimens were performed. GLZ group presented the highest fatigue behavior, while AlOx presented the lowest performance, and was only similar to SiC and 7%Si. Ctrl and SNF presented intermediary fatigue behavior, and were also similar to SiC and 7%Si. GLZ promoted a rougher surface, Ctrl and SNF had the lowest roughness, while the air-abrasion groups presented intermediary roughness. No m-phase content was detected (only t and c phases were detected). In conclusion, the application of a thin-layer of low-fusing porcelain glaze, the deposition of silica nanofilms and the air-abrasion with silica-coated alumina particles had no detrimental effect on the fatigue behavior of the 5Y-PSZ, while the air-abrasion with alumina particles damaged the fatigue outcomes.

Fatigue performance of fully-stabilized zirconia polycrystals monolithic restorations: The effects of surface treatments at the bonding surface.

This study evaluated the distinct conditioning effect of the intaglio surface of bonded fully-stabilized zirconia (FSZ) simplified restorations on the mechanical fatigue behavior of the set prior to and after aging. Ceramic disc shaped specimens (Ø= 10 mm and 1 mm thick) were randomly allocated into 14 groups considering: "surface treatments" (Ctrl: no-treatment; PM: universal primer; GLZ: low-fusing porcelain glaze; SNF: 5 nm SiO2 nanofilm deposition; AlOx: air-abrasion with aluminum oxide; SiC: air-abrasion with silica-coated aluminum oxide; 7%Si: air-abrasion with 7% silica-coated aluminum oxide); and "aging" (baseline: 24 h at 37 °C in water; or aged: 90 days at 37 °C in water + 12,000 thermal cycles). The discs were treated, luted with resin cement onto the dentin analog, subjected to aging or not, and then tested under a step-stress fatigue test at 20 Hz, 10,000 cycles/step, step-size of 100N starting at 200N, and proceeding until failure detection. Fractographic, topographic, surface roughness, contact angle, and atomic force microscopy analyzes were performed. The surface treatments at baseline led to statistically similar fatigue failure loads (953N-1313N), except for GLZ (1313N), which was significantly higher than 7%Si (953 N). Meanwhile, Ctrl had 40% pre-test failures (debonding) after aging, and therefore the worst fatigue performance (notable decrease in fatigue results), while all the other groups presented superior and statistically similar fatigue behavior (973-1271N). In fact, when considering baseline Vs aging conditions, stable fatigue results could only be noted when using surface treatments. In conclusion, internal surface treatments of FSZ ceramic restorations are mandatory for fatigue behavior stability after aging the restorative set, while non-treatment induced unstable results.

Evaluation of insertion torque and surface integrity of zirconia-coated titanium mini screw implants.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to devise a modification of a temporary anchorage device (TAD) by coating titanium mini screw implants with yttrium stabilized zirconia and to evaluate the insertion torque and surface integrity of it. METHOD: Five titanium implants (Absoanchor, Dentos, South Korea) from each of the four groups comprising of 6 SH 13-08, 6 SH 13 -10 cylindrical and 6 SH 1312-08, 6 SH 1312-10 tapered mini screw implants were selected to be in the experimental group (Zr Ti) of implants, wherein they were coated with yttrium stabilised zirconia using a RF/DC magnetron sputtering unit. One mini screw implant from each of the four groups remained without coating to serve as control (Ti). After the coating of the titanium mini screw implants, scanning electron microscope (SEM) study was performed to evaluate the thickness and uniformity of the coating obtained. The insertion torque of all implants were evaluated by inserting the implant into bone sample using a manual torque wrench (ADIN). The implants were retrieved from the bone sample and a post insertion SEM study was performed to evaluate any changes in the surface of the Zr-Ti and Ti implants. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was done to confirm the presence of Zirconia in the implants from the experimental group. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the insertion torque for the zirconia coated mini screw implants and the titanium mini screw implants, where the P value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The values for insertion torque for Zr Ti cylindrical group of 8 mm length ranged from 19-20 N-cm and that for the tapered group of 8 mm length ranged from 15-17 N-cm. The insertion torque for the Zr Ti tapered group of 8 mm ranged from 21-22 N-cm and that of the tapered group ranged from 16-18 N-cm.The insertion torque values for the Ti cylindrical implant for length of 8 mm was 20 N-cm and 21 N-cm for length of 10 mm. The insertion torque values for the Ti tapered implant was 15N-cm for 8 mm length and 16N-cm for 10 mm length. CONCLUSION: The Zirconia coating on the Titanium mini screw implants was of 2.6 µm in thickness. There was no statistically significant difference in the insertion torque of the Zirconia coated mini screw implants and the non-coated titanium mini screw implants which retained their structural integrity.

Alternating Current Electrophoretic Deposition of Gadolinium Doped Ceria onto Yttrium Stabilized Zirconia: A Study of the Mechanism.

Direct current electrophoretic deposition (DC-EPD) has been successfully adopted to deposit Gd-doped ceria (GDC) onto yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ) previously. However, bubble evolution associated with the proton reduction results in deterioration of the quality of the GDC layer. For the purpose of lowering the densification temperature of the GDC layer by improving its green density, alternating current electrophoretic deposition (AC-EPD) is used to eliminate the bubble evolution. A dense GDC layer with a thickness of 6 µm is successfully obtained after sintering at 1250 °C. The barrier layer effectively eliminates the reaction between LaxSr1-xCoyFe1-yO3-δ (LSCF) and YSZ. The voltage waveform consists of a negative voltage step and a positive voltage step of varying magnitude and step length. The optimum frequency of 500 Hz leads to the maximum deposition yield which is linear with regard to deposition time. Moreover, with the increase of the negative to positive voltage ratio and the length of the negative step relative to the length of the positive step, the deposition rate grows correspondingly. Because the AC step voltages result in negligible faradaic reactions, the deposition process is controlled by the transport process and the desorption process, wherein the latter process is irreversible.

Grinding, polishing and glazing of the occlusal surface do not affect the load-bearing capacity under fatigue and survival rates of bonded monolithic fully-stabilized zirconia simplified restorations.

This study aims to evaluate the effect of distinct surface treatments (grinding, polishing and glaze) of the occlusal surface of fully-stabilized zirconia (FSZ) simplified restorations bonded onto epoxy resin on the fatigue behavior of the restorations. Disc shaped specimens of FSZ (IPS e.max Zircad MT Multi) were produced (Ø = 10 mm and 0.8 mm in thickness) and randomly allocated into 5 groups, considering the factor 'surface treatment' of the occlusal surface: Ctrl - as-sintered; Gr - ground with coarse diamond bur; Gr + Pol- grinding + polishing with two-step polishing system; Gr + Gl - grinding + glaze application; Gr + Pol + Gl - grinding + polishing + glaze application. Next, the FSZ intaglio surface was air-abraded with 45 µm aluminum oxide powder for 10 s at 15 mm of distance under 2 bar pressure and the discs were adhesively cemented (Multilink Automix) onto its dentin analogue pair (Ø = 10 mm; thickness = 2.7 mm). Finally, the step-stress fatigue test was executed (load ranging from 200 to 1300 N; step-size of 100N; 10,000 cycles per step, 20 Hz). In addition, surface topography, roughness, phase transformation and fractography analyses were performed. Grinding altered the topographical pattern introducing defects into the material surface and increasing roughness. Polishing and glaze application led to a smoothening effect, reducing surface defects and statistically decreasing roughness. However, the effect on roughness of polishing and glaze was statistically similar. No phase transformation was observed, thus only cubic and tetragonal phases were detected. No surface treatment had a deleterious effect regarding the fatigue failure load, number of cycles for failure and survival rates. All failures (cracks) started on the bonding surface. Thus, polishing and glaze are indicated to reduce surface roughness, despite not leading to differences in terms of fatigue performance.

Mechanical reliability, fatigue strength and survival analysis of new polycrystalline translucent zirconia ceramics for monolithic restorations.

This study characterized the mechanical properties (static and under fatigue), the crystalline microstructure (monoclinic - m, tetragonal - t and cubic - c phase contents) and the surface topography of three yttrium-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) materials with different translucent properties, before and after aging in an autoclave (low temperature degradation). Disc-shaped specimens were produced from second generation (Katana ML/HT - high-translucent) and third generations (Katana STML - super-translucent and UTML - ultra-translucent) YSZ ceramics (Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc.), following ISO 6872-2015 guidelines for biaxial flexural strength testing (final dimensions: 15 mm in diameter and 1.2 ±â€¯0.2 mm in thickness), and then subjected to the respective tests and analyses. ML was mainly composed of tetragonal crystals, while STML and UTML presented cubic content. Aging increased the monoclinic content for ML and did not affect STML and UTML. Topographical analysis highlights different grain sizes on the ceramic surface (UTML > STML > ML) and aging had no effect on this outcome. Weibull analysis showed the highest characteristic strength for ML both before and after aging, and statistically similar Weibull moduli for all groups. ML material also obtained the highest survival rates (ML > STML > UTML) for both fatigue strength and number of cycles to failure. All fractures originated from surface defects on the tensile side. Third generation zirconia (Katana STML and UTML) are fully stabilized materials (with tetragonal and cubic crystals), being totally inert to the autoclave aging, and presented lower mechanical properties than the second-generation zirconia (Katana ML - metastable zirconia).

Effect of grinding and aging on subcritical crack growth of a Y-TZP ceramic

Abstract This study aimed to investigate slow crack growth (SCG) behavior of a zirconia ceramic after grinding and simulated aging with low-temperature degradation (LTD). Complementary analysis of hardness, surface topography, crystalline phase transformation, and roughness were also measured. Disc-shaped specimens (15 mm Ø × 1.2 mm thick, n = 42) of a full-contour Y-TZP ceramic (Zirlux FC, Amherst) were manufactured according to ISO:6872-2008, and then divided into: Ctrl - as-sintered condition; Ctrl LTD - as-sintered after aging in autoclave (134°C, 2 bar, 20 h); G - ground with coarse diamond bur (grit size 181 μm); G LTD - ground and aged. The SCG parameters were measured by a dynamic biaxial flexural test, which determines the tensile stress versus stress rate under four different rates: 100, 10, 1 and 0.1 MPa/s. LTD led to m-phase content increase, as well as grinding (m-phase content: Ctrl - 0%; G - 12.3%; G LTD - 59.9%; Ctrl LTD - 81%). Surface topography and roughness analyses showed that grinding created an irregular surface (increased roughness) and aging did not promote any relevant surface change. There was no statistical difference on surface hardness among different conditions. The control group presented the lowest strength values in all tested rates. Regarding SCG, ground conditions were less susceptible to SCG, delaying its occurrence. Aging (LTD) caused an increase in SCG susceptibility for the as-sintered condition (i.e. G < G LTD < Ctrl < Ctrl LTD).

Investigation of Methane Oxidation Reactions Over a Dual-Bed Catalyst System using 18 O Labelled DRIFTS coupling.

Low loading Pd-supported (0.2 wt % Pd) Y-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and LaMnO3 (LM) perovskite were associated to study the partial oxidation of methane using labelled 18 O2 in the gas phase. Synthesis gas production was demonstrated to occur through an indirect reaction in which oxygen is first consumed in the total methane combustion. A Mars-van Krevelen mechanism was observed over Pd/YSZ at 425 °C to yield C16 O2 and C16 O. A significant enhancement of the Pd/YSZ catalyst activity was achieved by the association of LM-Pd/YSZ in a dual catalyst bed, resulting in a significant increase of the oxidation rate. Vibration bands of adsorbed formate species, assumed to be intermediates to the gas production, were observed by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) coupling experiments. It was proposed that LM enables the generation of highly active singlet O2 , which is activated on the YSZ oxygen vacancies to assist a rapid recovery of surface PdO and increase formate decomposition into CO and H2 in Pd-supported catalyst.

Remarkable enhancement of O2 activation on yttrium-stabilized zirconia surface in a dual catalyst bed.

Yttrium-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) has been extensively studied as an electrolyte material for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) but its performance in heterogeneous catalysis is also the object of a growing number of publications. In both applications, oxygen activation on the YSZ surface remains the step that hinders utilization at moderate temperature. It was demonstrated by oxygen isotope exchange that a dual catalyst bed system consisting of two successive LaMnO3 and YSZ beds without intimate contact drastically enhances oxygen activation on the YSZ surface at 698 K. It can be concluded that LaMnO3 activates the triplet ground-state of molecular oxygen into a low-lying singlet state, thereby facilitating the activation of the O2 molecule on the YSZ oxygen vacancy sites. This phenomenon is shown to improve the catalytic activity of the LaMnO3-Pd/YSZ system for the partial oxidation of methane.