The effect of microwave glazing on the surface properties of various porcelain materials.

Abstract

The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of microwave glazing, conventional oven glazing, and polishing on surface roughness and wettability of porcelains. The initial surface roughness values (Ra0) of the prepared specimens for four different porcelains (Vita VM 9, VitaVM 13, Vita VMK 95, IPS e.maxCeram) were determined by profilometry. Then, the specimens were divided randomly into three groups as polishing, conventional oven glazing, and microwave glazing. Final surface roughness values were evaluated by profilometry (Ra1) and scanning electron microscopy. Wettability of glazed specimens were evaluated by contact angle goniometer. Although microwave-glazed specimens had lower Ra1 values compared with the conventional oven-glazed ones for IPS e.maxCeram (P < 0.05), there were not any statistically significant differences between these two procedures in terms of Ra1 values for the other porcelains (P > 0.05). Microwave-glazed specimens had lower wettability values than conventional oven-glazed ones for Vita VM 9. Microwave glazing procedure may be considered as an alternative method because of the advantages of providing volumetric heating, time, and energy saving.