• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.500-510
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• 2008

Statement of problem: Recently researches about WC/C (Tungsten Carbide/Carbon) or TiN (Titanium Nitride) coating on abutment screws are going on. It decreases friction coefficient, resistance against corrosion and withdrawal of physical fragility when the coating is applied to the metal surfaces. It is reported that coated abutment screws improved abrasion, adaptability and detorque force. Purpose: This study is about the effects of coated abutment screws on loosening of screw and for the purpose of solving the loosening phenomenon of abutment screws which is clinical problem. Material and methods: Detorque force and surface changes are compared when 10 times of repeated closing and opening are applied to both uncoated titanium abutment screws (Group A) and coated abutment screws with WC/C (Group B) and TiN (Group C). Each group was made up of 10 abutment screws. Results: 1. Before repeated closing and opening, Somewhat rough surface with regular direction was observed in Group A. Coated granules were observed in group B and group C and overall coated layer appeared in regular and smooth form. 2. Before repeated closing and opening, The coated surface showed bigger and thicker size of coated granules in Group C than Group B. 3. After repeated closing and opening, abrasion and deformation of abutment screw surface was observed in Group A and Group B. Exfoliation phenomenon was observed in Group B. 4. Group A showed biggest range of decrease when the weight changes of abutment screws were measured before and after repeated closing and opening. Group C showed less weight changes than Group B but there was no statistical difference between two groups. 5. Group B and Group C showed higher average detorque force than Group A and there was statistical difference. 6. Group A showed more prominent decrease tendency of average detorque force than Group B and Group C. Conclusion: Coated abutment screws with WC/C or TiN did not show prominent surface changes than uncoated titanium abutment screws even though they were repeatedly used. And they showed excellent resistance against friction and high detorque force. Thus it is considered that adaptation of WC/C or TiN coating on abutment screws will improve the screw loosening problem.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.543-553
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• 2023

The current status of domestic a agalmatolite mines in South Korea was investigated with a view to establishing a stable supply of agalmatolite and managing its demand. Most mined agalmatolite deposits were formed through hydrothermal alteration of Mesozoic volcanic rocks. The physical characteristics of pyrophyllite, the main constituent mineral of agalmatolite, are as follows: specific gravity 2.65~2.90, hardness 1~2, density 1.60~1.80 g/cm³, refractoriness ≥29, and color white, gray, grayish white, grayish green, yellow, or yellowish green. Among the chemical components of domestic agalmatolite, SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ contents are respectively 58.2~67.2 and 23.1~28.8 wt.% for pyrophyllite, 49.2~72.6 and 16.5~31.0 wt.% for pyrophyllite + dickite, 45.1 and 23.3 wt.% for pyrophyllite + illite, 43.1~82.3 and 11.4~35.8 wt.% for illite, and 37.6~69.0 and 19.6~35.3 wt.% for dickite. Domestic agalmatolite mines are concentrated mainly in the southwest and southeast of the Korean Peninsula, with some occurring in the northeast. Twenty-one mines currently produce agalmatolite in South Korea, with reserves in the order of Jeonnam (45.6%) > Chungbuk (30.8%) > Gyeongnam (13.0%) > Gangwon (4.8%), and Gyeongbuk (4.8%). The top 10 agalmatolite-producing mines are in the order of the Central Resources Mine (37.9%) > Wando Mine (25.6%) > Naju Ceramic Mine (13.4%) > Cheongseok-Sajiwon Mine (5.4%) > Gyeongju Mine (5.0%) > Baekam Mine (5.0%) > Minkyung-Nohwado Mine (3.3%) > Bugok Mine (2.3%) > Jinhae Pylphin Mine (2.2%) > Bohae Mine. Agalmatolite has low thermal conductivity, thermal expansion, thermal deformation, and expansion coefficients, low bulk density, high heat and corrosion resistance, and high sterilization and insecticidal efficiency. Accordingly, it is used in fields such as refractory, ceramic, cement additive, sterilization, and insecticide manufacturing and in filling materials. Its scope of use is expanding to high-tech industries, such as water treatment ceramic membranes, diesel exhaust gas-reduction ceramic filters, glass fibers, and LCD panels.