Key Engineering Materials Vols. 396-398

Abstract: Sol-gel derived glasses have been reported to express considerably higher bioactivity than melt-derived ones. The use of the sol-gel method for the fabrication of dental ceramic bioactive glass composites has resulted in composites consisting of an amorphous glassy network into which crystals of Calcium Silicate (CS), Wollastonite (W), leucite (Lt) and Fluorapatite (FAp) are dispersed. Thus, the aim of the present study was the investigation of the bioactivity of sol-gel derived dental ceramic/bioactive glass composites, in the form of powders and in thermally treated disk shaped specimens. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the reacted products. The sol-gel derived dental glass ceramic composites present high bioactivity compared to the respective melt-derived ones, which is attributed to the higher CaO content and the crystallization of bioactive W and CS crystal phases during the fabrication process. However, the powdered samples presented faster HCAp formation compared to the respective specimens, due to their higher surface energy.

Abstract: The role of silica and macrophages in fibrosis is well documented, but in bone formation it is relatively unknown despite decades of research with bioactive glasses. In this study macrophages were isolated from rat peritoneal and then cultured for five days in the presence of two types of silica microparticles with different solubilities. After the fifth day the culture medium was collected, purified and used as an additive in bone marrow derived rat stem cell cultures. The stem cells were cultured for five days in α-mem containing only 0,5% of FCS, enabling cell survival but disrupting their proliferation. As controls, stem cells were also cultured in α-mem containing silica microparticles. At days one and five the amount of soluble collagen was assayed from the culture medium and the cells were counted. All stem cell cultures with macrophage medium additives were found to be proliferative, with statistically significant difference to controls. However, collagen was only produced in cultures containing medium from macrophages cultured with fast-dissolving silica microparticles. This suggests that silica can induce cell proliferation and extra cellular matrix protein secretion which is mediated by macrophages, and that the solubility of silica is also a major factor in this reaction.

Abstract: This document describes and discusses the non-isothermal devitrification process of the wollastonite-tricalcium phosphate (W-TCP) eutectic glass. This eutectic glass has been studied in situ, from room temperature up to 1375 °C, by Neutron Diffractometry (ND) in vacuum. The data obtained were complemented and compared with those performed on ambient atmosphere by Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) and with those of samples fired in air, at selected temperatures, and then cooled down and subsequently studied by laboratory X-ray Powder Diffraction (LXRD) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) fitted with Energy X-Ray Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). Selected samples have been investigated by quantitative full-phase analysis (including the amorphous content) using the Rietveld method. The experimental evidence indicates that the devitrification of W-TCP eutectic glass, begins at ~870°C, with the crystallization of a Ca-deficient apatite phase (Ca9.92(P5.85O23.54)(OH)2.03 (H2O)2.194) followed by wollastonite-2M (-CaSiO3) crystallization at 1006°C. At 1375°C the bio glassceramic is comprised of quasi-rounded colonies formed by a homogeneous mixture of pseudowollastonite (-CaSiO3) and -tricalcium phosphate (-Ca3(PO4)2). This microstructure corresponds to irregular eutectic structures and is similar to that of Bioeutectic® W-TCP material obtained previously, via controlled slow solidification of the eutectic composition, by some of the present authors. It has also been found that from the eutectic composition of the wollastonite – tricalcium phosphate binary system is possible to obtain a wide range of bio glass-ceramics through appropriate design of thermal treatments.

Abstract: Thermal treatment of bioactive glasses can affect their microstructure and thus their bioactivity. The aim of this study was the characterization of the thermally treated sol-gel-derived bioactive glass 58S at characteristic temperatures and the dependence of its bioactive behavior on the specific thermal treatment. The thermal behavior of the bioactive glass was studied by thermal analysis (TG/DTA). Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Diffractometry (XRD) were used for the characterization of the bioactive glass. The bioactive behavior in Simulated Body Fluid (SBF) was examined by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM-EDS) and FTIR. The major crystal phases after thermal treatment were Calcium Silicates, Wollastonite and Pseudowollastonite, while all thermally treated samples developed apatite after 48 hours in SBF. A slight enhancement of bioactivity was observed for the samples heated at the temperature range 910-970oC.

Abstract: Adhesion characteristics of base-coated single crystal brackets for orthodontics were investigated to evaluate the feasibility for the ceramic bracket applications. Sapphire single crystal ingot were machined, abraded and spray-coated with slurries containing 50 wt% of flux and 40µm, 80µm and 150µm of granules. Maximum adhesion to the base surface of the brackets was observed when the size of granule in the slurries was 80µm. It may be due to higher bonding area of adhesive to granule and to base as a result of interlocking structure which has moderate thickness and uniform distribution of granules. The one-way analysis of variance indicated that there were not significant differences in bond strength measurements between the once and twice coating condition in 80µm and 150µm granule groups. But ARI values exhibited large differences between once and twice coating groups and showed different median or ranges. Adhesive remnant of adhesive resin was minimized when the slurry of 80µm granule was coated once. Reduction in adhesive remnant is likely due to the higher bonding of adhesive resin to granules. No teeth and bracket damages were found in any teeth de-bonded by shear force. The base-coated brackets with higher strength (12.9 MPa) and no adhesive remnant were newly proposed for the orthodontics applications.

Abstract: Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is a ceramic of strong economic potential, given the versatility of its application in industry in many different areas. Protective shells of marine snails of the Brazilian coast were analyzed in this study, to verify the content of calcium carbonate available in this type of material. The samples were collected at Bessa´s Beach located in the João Pessoa’ coast Capital of Paraíba state, northern Brazil. The collection occurred during the month of February 2008; the sample was processed into powder and it was examined by X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Infrared Spectroscopy with Fourier Trasformating (FTIR). The material was also submitted to heat treatment at 110°C and characterized by same techniques. The results confirmed the presence of a high content of calcium carbonate in the samples (over 95%,) which has not changed with the heat treatment used. It was presents the morphologies calcite and aragonite with prevalence of the second, both showing high levels of crystallinity. From the results obtained, calcium carbonate of the coast Paraíba has a potential application like bioceramic.

Abstract: Phase transformation of 3Y-TZP with different ternary oxide additions (Al2O3, La2O3, Sc2O3 and CeO2) was evaluated by hydrothermal degradation tests in water vapor at 180°C. Monoclinic phase quantification from XRD patterns showed an improved degradation resistance of the specimens with oxide additions in comparison to the 3Y-TZP base material. Cross sectional sample analysis showed that, even though for all the compositions the exposed surface became saturated with monoclinic phase, the penetration of the transformation varied. Alumina-lanthana doped materials exhibited the thinnest degraded layer.

Abstract: In the present investigation, three ceramic-ceramic-couplings (alumina - alumina) were examined for possible reasons of the squeaking noise which occurred after surgery. Under certain conditions like, for example, a suboptimal position of the implant and corresponding soft tissue relations, a subluxation or microseparation of the ceramic head from the ceramic liner may occur; this, in turn, may lead to a squeaking noise of the joint. Apart from the psychological stress for the patient due to the awkward noise and the resulting feeling of instability, the squeaking noise is a sign for damages on the implant in most cases.

Abstract: The aim of this study was the fabrication using a sol-gel technique of a new glass-ceramic with potential use in dental applications. The characterization of the composition and microstructural properties of the produced material confirmed the similarity between the new sol-gel derived glass-ceramic and a commercial leucite based fluorapatite dental glass-ceramic. The produced material has potential application in dental restorations and it is expected to exhibit better control of composition, microstructure and properties due to the intrinsic advantages of the sol-gel preparation method.

Abstract: The primary purpose of this work was the examination of the surface and the strength of ATZ ceramic after hydrothermal treatment. Hydrothermal treatment of ATZ ceramic leads to changes of roughness and phase composition on the surface. The phase composition and the microstructure on the surface and within the peripheral zone were determined after applying a stepwise broad ion beam polishing technique and quantitative phase analysis. With this technique a penetration depth of the phase transformation of less than 14 µm was observed. Investigations of the cross sectional area by means of FESEM have shown a transformation zone of about 9 µm. Both methods lead to comparable results with a very small, morphologically changed peripheral layer. The study of the strength after ageing with different thickness of the samples showed that for a thickness of 2.0 mm there is no negative influence on mechanical behaviour. In consideration of this fact no significant change of tribological properties is expected.