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Clinical Oral Investigations

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01-01-2013 | Original Article

The effect of zirconia sintering temperature on flexural strength, grain size, and contrast ratio

Authors: Bogna Stawarczyk, Mutlu Özcan, Lubica Hallmann, Andreas Ender, Albert Mehl, Christoph H. F. Hämmerlet

Published in: Clinical Oral Investigations | Issue 1/2013

Abstract

Objective

This study investigated the effect of sintering temperatures on flexural strength, contrast ratio, and grain size of zirconia.

Materials and Methods

Zirconia specimens (Ceramill ZI, Amann Girrbach) were prepared in partially sintered state. Subsequently, the specimens were randomly divided into nine groups and sintered with different final sintering temperatures: 1,300°C, 1,350°C, 1,400°C, 1,450°C, 1,500°C, 1,550°C, 1,600°C, 1,650°C, or 1,700°C with 120 min holding time. Three-point flexural strength (N = 198; n = 22 per group) was measured according to ISO 6872: 2008. The contrast ratio (N = 90; n = 10 per group) was measured according to ISO 2471: 2008. Grain sizes and microstructure of different groups were investigated (N = 9, n = 1 per group) with scanning electron microscope. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with Scheffé test and Weibull statistics (p < 0.05). Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated between either flexural strength or contrast ratio and sintering temperatures.

Results

The highest flexural strength was observed in groups sintered between 1,400°C and 1,550°C. The highest Weibull moduli were obtained for zirconia sintered at 1,400°C and the lowest at 1,700°C. The contrast ratio and the grain size were higher with the higher sintering temperature. The microstructure of the specimens sintered above 1,650°C exhibited defects. Sintering temperatures showed a significant negative correlation with both the flexural strength (r = −0.313, p < 0.001) and the contrast ratio values (r = −0.96, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The results of this study showed that the increase in sintering temperature increased the contrast ratio, but led to a negative impact on the flexural strength.

Clinical Relevance

Considering the flexural strength values and Weibull moduli, the sintering temperature for the zirconia tested in this study should not exceed 1,550°C.

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Title: The effect of zirconia sintering temperature on flexural strength, grain size, and contrast ratio
Authors: Bogna Stawarczyk
Mutlu Özcan
Lubica Hallmann
Andreas Ender
Albert Mehl
Christoph H. F. Hämmerlet
Publication date: 01-01-2013
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Clinical Oral Investigations / Issue 1/2013
Print ISSN: 1432-6981
Electronic ISSN: 1436-3771
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-012-0692-6

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The effect of zirconia sintering temperature on flexural strength, grain size, and contrast ratio

Abstract

Objective

Materials and Methods

Results

Conclusions

Clinical Relevance

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Materials and Methods

Results

Conclusions

Clinical Relevance

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