• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.96-107
• /
• 2022

PURPOSE. Microstructural and physico-mechanical characterization of highly translucent zirconia, prepared by milling technology (CAD-CAM) and repeated firing cycles, was the main aim of this in vitro study. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Two groups of samples of two commercial highly-translucent yttria-stabilized dental zirconia, VITA YZ-HT^White (Group A) and Zolid HT + White (Group B), with dimensions according to the ISO 6872 "Dentistry - Ceramic materials", were prepared. The specimens of each group were divided into two subgroups. The specimens of the first subgroups (Group A₁ and Group B₁) were merely the sintered specimens. The specimens of the second subgroups (Group A₂ and Group B₂) were subjected to 4 heat treatment cycles. The microstructural features (microstructure, density, grain size, crystalline phases, and crystallite size) and four mechanical properties (flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, Vickers hardness, and fracture toughness) of the subgroups (i.e. before and after heat treatment) were compared. The statistical significance between the subgroups (A₁/A₂, and B₁/B₂) was evaluated by the t-test. In all tests, P values smaller than 5% were considered statistically significant. RESULTS. A homogenous microstructure, with no residual porosity and grains sized between 500 and 450 nm for group A and B, respectively, was observed. Crystalline yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia was exclusively registered in the X-ray diffractograms. The mechanical properties decreased after the heat treatment procedure, but the differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION. The produced zirconia ceramic materials can be safely (i.e., according to the ISO 6872) used in extensive fixed prosthetic restorations, such as substructure ceramics for three-unit prostheses involving the molar restoration and substructure ceramics for prostheses involving four or more units. Consequently, milling technology is an effective manufacturing technology for producing zirconia substructures for dental fixed all-ceramic prosthetic restorations.

• Advances in nano research
• /
• v.15 no.5
• /
• pp.467-484
• /
• 2023

Despite the significant features of fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (FRCCs), including better mechanical, fractural, and durability performance, their high content of cement has restricted their use in the construction industry. Although ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) is considered the main supplementary cementitious material, its slow pozzolanic reaction stands against its application. The addition of nano-sized mineral modifiers, including nano-silica (NS), is an alternative to address the drawbacks of using GGBFS. The main object of this empirical and numerical research is to examine the effect of NS on the strain-hardening behavior of cementitious composites; ten mixes were designed, and five levels of NS were considered. This study proposes a new method, using a four-point bending test to assess the use of nano-silica (NS) on the flexural behavior, first cracking strength, fracture energy, and micromechanical parameters including interfacial friction bond strength and maximum bridging stress. Digital image correlation (DIC) was used for monitoring the initiation and propagation of the cracks. In addition, to attain a deep comprehension of fiber/matrix interaction, scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis was used. It was discovered that using nano-silica (NS) in cementitious materials results in an enhancement in the matrix toughness, which prevents multiple cracking and, therefore, strain-hardening. In addition, adding NS enhanced the interfacial transition zone between matrix and fiber, leading to a higher interfacial friction bond strength, which helps multiple cracking in the composite due to the hydrophobic nature of polypropylene (PP) fibers. The findings of this research provide insight into finding the optimum percent of NS in which both ductility and high tensile strength of the composites would be satisfied. As a concluding remark, a new criterion is proposed, showing that the optimum value of nano-silica is 2%. The findings and proposed method of this study can facilitate the design and utilization of green cementitious composites in structures.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
• /
• v.34 no.8
• /
• pp.1015-1021
• /
• 2010

In this study, the effect of the C/SiC composition ratio on the impact damage of a reaction sintered SiC (RS-SiC) plates was evaluated. An impact test was conducted by using an air gun. The impacter used was a steel ball with a diameter of 2 mm, and the impact velocities were 113, 122, and 180 m/s. The RS-SiC plates were $20\times20\times3$ mm with different C/SiC composition ratios. The ring crack diameters damaged by a steel ball were determined using SEM images. It was observed that the maximum diameter increased with increasing impact velocity, and it rapidly changed with increasing C/SiC composition ratio because of the effect of residual Si and the variation flexural strength. Cone cracks were formed in the case of C/SiC composition ratios of 0.4~0.5, this indicated that the impact damage changed from a ring crack to a cone crack in this critical range of C/SiC composition ratios. The C/SiC composition ratio of 0.3 was determined to be the optimal ratio for the RS-SiC manufacturing process.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
• /
• v.2 no.5
• /
• pp.366-374
• /
• 1992

Mechanical and impact properties of stitched S2 glass fiber reinforced polyester woven laminates composites have been studied. Laminates were stitched using Kevlar 49 thread with 1/2, 1, and 2 inch stitch spacing. Tensile and 3-point bending tests haute been performed to evaluate the mechanical properties of stitched and unstitched laminates. Impact tests at applied energy of 234.7J were performed to examine the impact behavior and toughness changes of the specimen. The same specimens were also tested repeatedly at low impact energy level of 110.2J for 3 times to evaluate damage tolerance properties. The tensile and 3-point bending test results showed that one inch spacing specimen had the highest tensile and flexural strength. It also showed the highest energy absorption capability and the best damage tolerance property at the repeated impact test. The half inch spacing specimen showed the lowest tensile strength and energy absorption property at the impact energy level of 234.7J, even though it had the highest frequency of stitching thread.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.11-18
• /
• 2013

Cement concrete pavement offers long-term service life and excellent applicability for heavy traffic. It is easier to purchase and more durable and economical than the asphalt pavement. However, it is difficult to repair and rehabilitate compared to the asphalt pavement when it comes to the maintenance problem. Since the crack is the main reason of the damage of concrete pavement, it is necessary to control the early and long-term crack in the concrete pavement. In this experimental study, the basic performance tests have been carried out to investigate the effect of hybrid fibers which were composed of micro fibers with small diameter and high aspect ratio and macro fibers with large diameter and low aspect ratio on the concrete pavement, in which lower water ratio and larger aggregates were used compared to the general concrete mixture. The test results showed that the flexural strength and toughness of concrete pavement mixture have been increased with the use of hybrid fibers in the concrete pavement mixture, even though they were less effective compared to the normal concrete mixture. It was found that the hybrid fibers were effective to control the early shrinkage of the concrete pavement which is one of the main reasons of the damage in the concrete pavement.