Background: Determination of the number of abrasive particles embedded in the zirconia surface after variable parameters of treatment.
Methods: One hundred thirty cylindrical disks made from zirconia were divided into 7 groups (n = 10): one control and six test groups treated by air abrasion using Al₂O₃ or SiC with grain sizes: 60, 110, 250 μm with a working pressure of 0.2 or 0.35 MPa. The SEM images were observed in BSE and BSE 3D. The chemical composition was determined by means of X-ray microanalysis with EDS. The surface was determined by quantitative metallography methods. Surfaces (%) depending on the particle type were compared using the Mann-Whitney test, depending on the pressure were compared using the Mann-Whitney test, and depending on the grain size were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test as well as the Jonckheere-Terpstra trend test as well as the Dunn post-hoc testA probability. Value of p < 0.05 was deemed significant, while a p-value of p < 0.01 was regarded as highly significant.
Results: After blasting aluminium and silicon particles were embedded in zirconia surface. When blasted with Al₂O₃, the average amount of embedded grain was higher, while in the case of SiC. Highly significant differences were observed in the surface share of the abrasive depending on the grain size. At a pressure of 0.20 MPa the quantity of embedded abrasive amounted to 6.63, and at the pressure of 0.35 MPa rose to 7.17. Most particles of abrasive material became embedded when sandblasting with grain size 60 μm grain. No significant difference was observed in the surface share of the abrasive depending on the pressure.
Conclusion: The quantity of embedded abrasive depends on its type and grain size, and the pressure applied.
Keywords: abrasive particles; air abrasion; zirconia.