Objectives: To evaluate the mechanical behavior of a prototype porous ceramic interpenetrating polymer-ceramic material containing 15-20% polymer.
Methods: After sample preparation, elastic modulus, hardness, stress-strain relationship and indentation creep response were measured by a nanoindentation system. Fracture toughness was measured by the single-edge-notched beam (SENB) method. SEM was employed to observe the fractured surface and analyze the fracture mechanisms.
Results: The polymer infiltrated ceramic material has elastic modulus, hardness, and fracture toughness values of 30.14GPa, 2.59GPa, and 1.72 MPam(1/2), respectively. The material illustrates a significant indentation size effect for elastic modulus and hardness, and has similar indentation creep behavior to human enamel. Manufacturing procedures such as the density of pre-infiltrated porous ceramic and processing pressure influence the final properties of the material.
Significance: This polymer infiltrated ceramic material is anticipated to become a new member of the dental CAD/CAM family.
Copyright © 2011 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.