Effects of contact-stress on wear behavior of zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate glass-ceramic

Abstract

Background: The purpose of the present study was to investigate effects of contact-stress on direct-contact wear behavior of zirconia reinforced lithium silicate glass-ceramic; in vitro off-axis sliding contact chewing simulation. Methods: In this study, 12 mm diameter X 2 mm thickness in size of lithium disilicate, Vita Suprinity; zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate was used. The test specimens were subjected to 100.000 mechanical loading, 3000 thermal cycles, 1.2 Hz wear frequency, 30° angle 0.7 mm lower jaw movement and different size Al2O3 antagonist material in artificial saliva. The average wear volume loss of the test specimens was obtained after wear test procedure using non-contact 3D profilometer. Furthermore, micro-structure analyzes of the wear surfaces of the test specimens were performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Results: As a result of this study, ceramic material showed better abrasion resistance with increasing contact surface of abrasive material. Conclusion: However, microstructure analysis has shown that micro cracks occur on the wear surfaces both wear test procedures. These micro cracks may have occurred under the wear surface of the ceramic material.