Fatigue Strength of Ce-TZP/Al₂O₃ Nanocomposite with Different Surfaces

Abstract

Ce-TZP/Al(2)O(3) nanocomposite (NANOZR) has not only higher strength, but also higher fracture toughness than conventional Y-TZP, indicating its potential for use in dental implants. Surface treatment to obtain osseointegration, however, may alter its surface topography, thus affecting the cyclic fatigue strength that plays such an important role in the durability of this material. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of surface treatment on cyclic fatigue strength in NANOZR as compared with grit-blasted and acid-etched Y-TZP (125BE Y-TZP). Bi-axial flexure strength was measured in both static and cyclic fatigue tests, as recommended by ISO 6872. The cyclic fatigue test was performed by the staircase method in distilled water at 37°C, with a load of 10(6) cycles and 10 Hz. Bi-axial flexure strength of NANOZR was 1111-1237 MPa and 667-881 MPa in the static and cyclic fatigue tests, respectively. The bi-axial flexure strength of NANOZR under all conditions was greater than that of 125BE Y-TZP in the static and cyclic fatigue tests. The cyclic fatigue strength of NANOZR was more than twice that of Y-TZP as specified in ISO 13356 for surgical implants (320 MPa), indicating the promise of this material for use in dental implants.

Influence of surface treatment of yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal with hot isostatic pressing on cyclic fatigue strength

“…Among these, the staircase method automatically concentrates testing near the mean and requires fewer tests 29,30) , which is equally valid for determining the fatigue limit 26) . In this study, the biaxial flexural strength of HIP Y-TZP MS was about two times greater than that previously reported for Y-TZP 23) . Hot isostatic pressing was introduced to achieve very high density and enhance the reliability of ceramic components 16) .…”

Hard and soft tissue responses to three different implant materials in a dog model

“…One disadvantage is its low fracture toughness 15) ; a clinical case report that was followed for 3 years showed fracture and loss of the zirconia implant body 16) . To resolve these disadvantages of Y-TZP, ceria partially stabilized zirconia/alumina nanocomposite (Ce-TZP/ Al 2O3) was recently developed 17,18) . Ce-TZP/Al2O3 has a higher flexural strength than Y-TZP and about 3 times the toughness of Y-TZP 19) .…”

The surface characterization and bioactivity of NANOZR in vitro

“…NANOZR exhibits greater flexural strength and fracture toughness than 3Y-TZP, and is completely resistant to low-temperature aging degradation 11,21) . Its cyclic fatigue strength is more than twice that of 3Y-TZP 22) , indicating its suitability for use in dental implants.…”