• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.462-467
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• 2014

PURPOSE. This study investigated the influence of surface conditioning procedures and repeated firings on monoclinic content and strength of zirconia before cementation. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Sintered bar-shaped zirconia specimens were subjected to no surface treatment (control), air abrasion, or grinding (n=21). Their roughness was evaluated using a profilometer, and microscope analysis was performed on one specimen of each group. Then, 2 or 10 repeated firings (n=10) were executed, the monoclinic content of specimens was analyzed by X-ray diffraction, and a three-point flexural strength test was performed. Surface roughness values were compared using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey honestly significant difference (HSD) tests, the monoclinic content values were tested using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests, and the flexural strength values were tested using two-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD tests (P=.05). Spearman's correlation test was performed to define relationships among measured parameters. RESULTS. Surface-treated specimens were rougher than untreated specimens and had a higher monoclinic content (P<.005), and the relationship between roughness and monoclinic content was significant (P<.000). Neither surface treatment nor firing significantly affected the flexural strength, but Weibull analysis showed that for the air-abraded samples the characteristic strength was significantly lower after the $10^{th}$ firing than after the $2^{nd}$ firing. CONCLUSION. After firing, a negligible amount of monoclinic content remained on the zirconia surfaces, and rougher surfaces had higher monoclinic contents than untreated surfaces. Multiple firings could be performed if necessary, but the fracture probability could increase after multiple firings for rougher surfaces.

• The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.248-258
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• 2023

PURPOSE. This study aims to evaluate the effects of exposure energy on the lateral resolution and mechanical strength of dental zirconia manufactured using digital light processing (DLP). MATERIALS AND METHODS. A zirconia suspension and a custom top-down DLP printer were used for in-office manufacturing. The viscosity of the suspension and uniformity of the exposed light intensity were controlled. Based on the exposure energy dose delivered to each layer, the specimens were classified into three groups: low-energy (LE), medium-energy (ME), and high-energy (HE). For each energy group, a simplified molar cube was used to measure the widths of the outline (X_o and Y_o) and isthmus (X_i and Y_i), and a bar-shaped specimen of the sintered body was tested. A Kruskal-Wallis test for the lateral resolution and one-way analysis of variance for the mechanical strength were performed (α = .05). RESULTS. The zirconia green bodies of the ME group showed better lateral resolution than those of the LE and HE groups (both P < .001). Regarding the flexural strength of the sintered bodies, the ME group had the highest mean value, whereas the LE group had the lowest mean value (both P < .05). The ME group exhibited fewer agglomerates than the LE group, with no distinctive interlayer pores or surface defects. CONCLUSION. Based on these findings, the lateral resolution of the green body and flexural strength of the sintered body of dental zirconia could be affected by the exposure energy dose during DLP. The exposure energy should be optimized when fabricating DLP-based dental zirconia.

• Journal of the Korean institute of surface engineering
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.401-411
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• 2023

This study investigates the synthesis, characterization, and application of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles for corrosion resistance and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) mitigation in high-temperature and high-pressure environments. The ZnO nanoparticles are synthesized using plasma discharge in water, resulting in rod-shaped particles with a hexagonal crystal structure. The ZnO nanoparticles are applied to Alloy 600 tubes in simulated nuclear power plant atmospheres to evaluate their effectiveness. X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis reveals the formation of thermodynamically stable ZnCr₂O₄and ZnFe₂O₄ spinel phases with a depth of approximately 35 nm on the surface after 240 hours of treatment. Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) mitigation experiments reveal that ZnO treatment enhances thermal and mechanical stability. The ZnO-treated specimens exhibit increased maximum temperature tolerance up to 310 ℃ and higher-pressure resistance up to 60 bar compared to non-treated ZnO samples. Measurements of crack length indicate reduced crack propagation in ZnO-treated specimens. The formation of thermodynamically stable Zn spinel structures on the surface of Alloy 600 and the subsequent improvements in surface properties contribute to the enhanced durability and performance of the material in challenging high-temperature and high-pressure environments. These findings have significant implications for the development of corrosion-resistant materials and the mitigation of stress corrosion cracking in various industries.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.41-47
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the flexural strength and reliability of highly translucent colored zirconia for all ceramic restoration. Materials and Methods: Bar-shaped specimens (25 × 4 × 2.5 mm) were prepared from highly translucent monolithic zirconia. Three experimental groups were set up according to color (shade A0, A1, and A3). For each group, 20 specimens were prepared. Flexural strength was determined using a 3-point flexural test and results were analyzed with one-way ANOVA test. Weibull statistical analysis provided 2 parameter estimates: Weibull modulus and characteristic strength. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was performed. Results: There was statistically significant difference between uncolored (Shade A0) and colored (shade A1 and A3) (P < 0.05), but there was no difference between colored groups (P > 0.05). The uncolored group had higher reliability compared with colored study groups. On x-ray diffraction analysis of each group, typical peaks of tetragonal phase appeared in all groups. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this in vitro study, coloring highly translucent zirconia had significant effect on flexural strength and reliability. Therefore, clinicians should be careful when using highly translucent colored zirconia to prevent breakage of veneering ceramic and enhance aesthetics.