Crystallization of high-strength fine-sized leucite glass-ceramics

J Dent Res. 2010 Dec;89(12):1510-6. doi: 10.1177/0022034510377795. Epub 2010 Oct 5.

Abstract

Manufacturing of leucite glass-ceramics often leads to materials with inhomogeneous microstructures. Crystal-glass thermal mismatches which produce microcracking around larger crystals-agglomerates are associated with reduced mechanical properties. The hypotheses were that fine (< 1 µm) crystal size and uniform microstructure in a thermally matched glass would increase the biaxial flexural strength (BFS). Glass was synthesized, attritor-milled, and heat-treated. Glasses and glass-ceramics were characterized by XRD, SEM, and Dilatometry. Experimental (A, M1A and M2A) and commercial glass-ceramics were tested by the BFS test. Experimental glass-ceramics showed an increased leucite crystal number and decreased crystal size with glass particle size reduction. Leucite glass-ceramics (< 1 µm) showed minimal matrix microcracking and BFS values of [mean (SD) MPa]: M1A = 253.8 (53.3); and M2A = 219.5 (54.1). Glass-ceramics M1A and M2A had higher mean BFS and characteristic strength than the IPS Empress Esthetic glass-ceramic (p < 0.05). Fine-grained, translucent leucite glass-ceramics were synthesized and produced high mean BFS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aluminum Silicates / chemistry*
  • Ceramics / chemistry*
  • Chemical Phenomena
  • Crystallization
  • Dental Materials / chemistry*
  • Dental Porcelain / chemistry
  • Hot Temperature
  • Humans
  • Materials Testing
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Particle Size
  • Phase Transition
  • Pliability
  • Spectrophotometry, Atomic
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Surface Properties
  • Transition Temperature
  • X-Ray Diffraction
  • Yttrium / chemistry
  • Zirconium / chemistry

Substances

  • Aluminum Silicates
  • Dental Materials
  • IPS-Empress ceramic
  • yttria stabilized tetragonal zirconia
  • Dental Porcelain
  • leucite
  • Yttrium
  • Glass ceramics
  • Zirconium