The development of an abrasion testing machine for dental materials

Abstract

Wear testing should be an important part of the investigation into the physical and mechanical properties of some dental materials. It has, however, largely been ignored because of conflicting and unreproducible results. It was decided, therefore, to review the work done by other researchers and to examine the human masticatory cycle, and then present new parameters to design and construct a new dental abrasion testing machine. This new machine is described in detail and its capabilities briefly illustrated.

On the wear mechanism of human dental enamel

“…At speed 99 mm/min, it was possible to achieve 20 cycles/min. Although this is somewhat lower than that normally observed for enamel (Harrison and Lewis, 1975), it was considered sufficient to obtain reliable experimental results. 7 The corresponding contact pressure values were in the range 48-176 MPa.…”

Wear of combinations of acrylic resin and porcelain, on an abrasion testing machine

“…Wear tests were made using a previously described machine which is designed to test materials under conditions similar to those of masticatory function by simulating the loads, sliding distances, and contact times encountered in the human masticatory cycle (Harrison & Lewis, 1975).…”

Wear resistance of four types of vacuum-formed retainer materials:A laboratory study

“…The wear machine used in this study has previously been described in detail by Harrison and Lewis, 20 with some minor modifications made for this study. The sample holder is secured to the base-plate, which is moved horizontally by the electrical motor.…”