Subcritical crack growth in porcelains, glass-ceramics, and glass-infiltrated alumina composite for dental restorations

J Mater Sci Mater Med. 2009 May;20(5):1017-24. doi: 10.1007/s10856-008-3667-z. Epub 2008 Dec 27.

Abstract

The objective was to compare fracture toughness (K(Ic)), stress corrosion susceptibility coefficient (n), and stress intensity factor threshold for crack propagation (K(I0)) of two porcelains [VM7/Vita (V) and d.Sign/Ivoclar (D)], two glass-ceramics [Empress/Ivolcar (E1) and Empress2/Ivlocar (E2)] and a glass-infiltrated alumina composite [In-Ceram Alumina/Vita (IC)]. Disks were constructed according to each manufacturer's processing method, and polished before induction of cracks by a Vickers indenter. Crack lengths were measured under optical microscopy at times between 0.1 and 100 h. Specimens were stored in artificial saliva at 37 degrees C during the whole experiment. K(Ic) and n were determined using indentation fracture method. K(I0) was determined by plotting log crack velocity versus log K(I). Microstructure characterization was carried out under SEM, EDS, X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence. IC and E2 presented higher K(Ic) and K(I0) compared to E1, V, and D. IC presented the highest n value, followed by E2, D, E1, and V in a decreasing order. V and D presented similar K(Ic), but porcelain V showed higher K(I0) and lower n compared to D. Microstructure features (volume fraction, size, aspect ratio of crystalline phases and chemical composition of glassy matrix) determined K(Ic). The increase of K(Ic) value favored the increases of n and K(I0).

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aluminum Oxide / chemistry
  • Ceramics / chemistry
  • Corrosion
  • Dental Materials* / chemistry
  • Dental Porcelain / chemistry
  • Dental Restoration Failure*
  • Dental Restoration, Permanent*
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Materials Testing
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Surface Properties
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Substances

  • Dental Materials
  • Dental Porcelain
  • Glass ceramics
  • Aluminum Oxide