The purpose of this study was to characterize the surface damages of zirconia by Nd:YAG dental laser irradiation through a systematic evaluation of the associated microstructural changes. Disk specimens of yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystals (Y-TZP) and ceria-stabilized zirconia/alumina nanocomposite (Ce-TZP/Al2O3 nanocomposite) were irradiated by Nd:YAG dental laser. The specimens were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and wavelength dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Every single irradiated spot was indicated by a circular black pit surrounded by a circular raised rim with a sunken depression at the center. On surface changes, many cracks were formed inside each irradiated pit. On changes in elemental composition, the concentration of oxygen decreased while that of zirconium increased. After heating in air, the assembly of circular black pits turned white, although the depression and raised rim remained. This study showed that Nd:YAG dental laser irradiation induced cracking and reduced oxygen content on the surface of zirconia. Consequently, these phenomena reduced the mechanical strength of zirconia. Therefore, Nd:YAG dental laser welding should not be performed on tetragonal zirconia.
Plate-like specimens were prepared, using a diamond saw, from Cercon -a pre-sintered yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) block. These specimens were treated with 10 kinds of dental materials which acted as contaminants, and then sintered at 1,350°C or 1,450°C. After the final firing, specimens were subjected to a three-point flexural test and Vickers hardness test. Their surfaces were also characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometry. Phosphoruscontaining contaminants reduced the three-point flexural strength and hardness of final sintered zirconia due to the formation of YPO 4 and phase transformation from tetragonal to monoclinic zirconia. Gypsum also reduced both mechanical properties due to the formation of CaZrO 3 and phase transformation from tetragonal to cubic zirconia. Other contaminants showed no adverse effects on the mechanical properties of final sintered zirconia.
The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the radio-opacity of core materials for all-ceramic restorations, such as zirconia (NANOZR and Y-TZP) and alumina, against commercially pure titanium (cpTi) and aluminum. X-ray images were taken under general settings using an X-ray film. The X-ray film images were scanned using a digital scanner, and the darkness at the central area of each specimen image was quantitatively analyzed using an image analysis software. Amongst the materials investigated, alumina showed the most transparency against X-rays. Conversely, both types of zirconia showed the highest radio-opacity, whereby that of NANOZR was slightly lower than that of Y-TZP. This was because NANOZR contained 30 vol% of alumina and its density was also slightly lower than that of Y-TZP.
We developed a laser-excited photoemission electron microscope (Laser-PEEM) that enables us to perform a non-destructive operando observation for elucidating the changes in the physical properties of electronic devices. By utilizing the Laser-PEEM, the non-volatile resistance change in the resistive random-access memory (ReRAM) was clearly visualized, even though the resistance change occurred under the electrode of the ReRAM, thanks to the deep probing depth. The operando observation of the Laser-PEEM is very promising as an observation method for various kinds of devices because the observation simultaneously provides us with morphological and electrical properties in real time.
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