Papers by Author: Carlos Nelson Elias

Abstract: The brittle behavior of ceramics limits the use of these materials under conditions of cyclic loading, as is the case of fixed partial dentures. To improve toughness and biocompatibility of ceramics is necessary to employ powders with better purities, adjust the conditions of compaction and sintering, microstructure control and explore mechanisms for increasing the toughness. Yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) is generally used for dental ceramic restorations. The zirconia framework is fabricated using the CAD/CAM system. The ceramic mechanical properties are determined by testing polished sample. Previous work did not analyze the influence of surface defects induced during dentures grinding. Ceramic restorations manufacturing are made with coarse grinding high-speed diamond rotatory cutting instruments. This process induces residual stresses and the high temperature induces surface cracks. Consequently, a lower strength and reliability of the material is observed. In this work the mechanical properties of yttria stabilized zirconia were determined with the use of samples of dental prostheses molded in patients and machined with the use of a dental laboratory CAD/CAM system. The results showed that the mechanical properties of pre-sintered blocks are different from prosthetics machined by CAD/CAM and sintered under the same conditions used in the laboratories of the prosthesis. The defects created during machining reduce the mechanical properties of zirconia.

Abstract: Several CAD/CAM systems are available to dental prosthesis laboratories that can be used to make all-ceramic copings and frameworks. In Brazil, the use of these systems presents low demand, due principally the high blocks ceramics cost used for theses systems. The ceramic blocks are imported. To increase the dental ceramic CAD/CAM applications is necessary develop and produce the ceramics blocks in Brazil. The purpose of the present work is to compare the mechanical properties of blocks of zirconium developed in the Brazil (ProtMat® Co) and imported (VITA). It was determined the mechanical and physics properties of the two types of blocks of zirconium stabilized with ytria. The blocks have been sinterized at 1530 °C and their mechanical and physics properties were measured. The x-ray diffraction analysis showed only tetragonal phase, which improve the blocks toughness. The Vickers hardness and fracture toughness were 1300HV and 9 MPam^1/2, respectively. High bending fracture resistance was obtained for both materials with average values of 910MPa. The Weibull modulus was m=10 for Brazilian and imported blocks. It was not observed an important difference among the microstructures and mechanical properties of the analyzed zirconium blocks.

Abstract: Several CAD/CAM systems are available to dental prosthesis laboratories which can be used to fabricate all-ceramic copings and frameworks. The use of these systems presents low demand, due principally the high blocks ceramics cost used for theses systems. Usually, these ceramic blocks are sintered at high temperatures, between 1450 and 15500C, resulting in micrometric ZrO2 microstructure. A considerable innovation in these ceramics systems used in CAD/CAM applications was introduced by the use of nanometric-tetragonal ZrO2 blocks, which are sintered at low sintering temperatures resulting in nanometric grains morphology and improved mechanical properties. The purpose of the present work is to characterize the mechanical properties of nanoparticled zirconium oxide blocks comparing with commercial micrometric ceramic parts. XRD patterns showed that the blocks have only the tetragonal-ZrO2 as crystalline phase. The tetragonal-monoclinic transformation phase was responsible for the excellent mechanical properties. Nanometric blocks presented hardness of 13GPa, fracture toughness of 11MPam1/2 , bending strength of 1020MPa and Weibull modulus, m=14, while micrometric ZrO2 blocks similar hardness, fracture toughness 8.5MPam1/2, bending strength of 850MPa and Weibull modulus of 10.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to physico/chemically characterize a commercially available and a newly developed Bioglass and also to evaluate their degradation properties. Materials and Method: Two bioresorbable glasses were utilized, a bioglass synthesized at Chemical Engineering College (University of São Paulo, Lorena, São Paulo) (BG1), and the other bioglass utilized was Biogran (BG2) (3i Implant Innovations, Brazil). Particles size distribution histograms were developed for both materials, and then they were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) before and after immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) for 30, 60, and 90 days. Results: The particle size distribution showed that the mean particle diameters at 10%, 50%, and 90% of the total volume were 17.65, 66.18, and 114.71 µm for BG1, and 354.54, 437.5, 525.00 µm for BG2. SEM images of BG1 showed that the as-received material had a rough surface and as the time of degradation elapsed, this surface became smooth. The images of BG2 showed that the as-received material also had a rough surface, and after immersion in SBF, the material’s crystalline content/morphology could be observed. The X-ray diffraction recorded that BG1 showed a silica peak, not seen at BG2. FTIR revealed that both bioglasses were of similar composition, except for the CO3-carbonate minor peak, present at the BG2 sample. Conclusions: 1. The particle size distribution showed a polydispersed pattern for both materials. 2. The material suffered degradation, and the decomposition increased as a function of immersion in SBF. 3. Both bioglasses had similar composition.

Abstract: In this work, the effects of alumina additions on the properties of the ZrO2-Al2O3 ceramic composites were investigated. Samples of ZrO2 with Al2O3 additions varying between 0 and 30wt-% were prepared. The powder mixtures were milled, compacted by uniaxial cold pressing and sintered at 16000C, in air, for 2 hours. The sintered samples were characterized by their relative density, phase composition and microstructure. As mechanical properties at room temperature, their Vickers hardness and fracture toughness were determined: In all sintering conditions and Al2O3 amounts, the samples presented relative density higher that 99%. The Al2O3 addition produces a linear increase of the hardness, reaching values between 1350 and 1610 HV for the addition of 0 and 30% of alumina, respectively. The fracture toughness was near to 8 MPam1/2 in all conditions. The phase composition, microstructure and relative density were correlated in order to interpret the mechanical properties obtained.

Abstract: In this work the influence of isothermal sintering time on the microstructural development of ZrO2-Al2O3 composite was studied. Powder mixture of ZrO2 containing 20 wt% Al2O3 was prepared by milling, compaction and sintering at 16000C, in air. The isothermal sintering time at 16000C was varied between 0 and 1440 min. The sintered samples were characterized in terms of phase composition and relative density. Their microstructures were characterized by grain size distributions and average grain size. These results were evaluated using the classic grain growth equation as a function of time, determining the grain growth exponent of these materials. Furthermore, the microstructural aspects were related to the mechanical properties (Vicker’s hardness and fracture toughness) of these composites.