Flexural strength, fatigue life, and stress-induced phase transformation study of Y-TZP dental ceramic

Yttria partially-stabilized zirconia polycrystalline (Y-TZP) has been the subject of extensive research because of its high strength and toughness. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biaxial flexural strength, fatigue life, and to investigate in more detail on single cycle specimens, the pressure-induced phase transformation of a Y-TZP dental ceramic using Raman microspectroscopy.

Thirty standardized discs (15 x 1.2 mm(2)) were used to examine the biaxial flexural strength (ISO 6872 standard) using a Dartec HC10 Servohydraulic testing machine (Zwick Ltd., UK). The specimens were also submitted to Vickers hardness (on polished and as-received surfaces within the same specimen) and dynamic fatigue test. The initial bulk phases were examined via X-ray diffraction and the local phase transformations that occurred in the zirconia induced by the various Vickers indentation loads (20-50 kg) were examined via Raman microspectroscopy on single cycle specimens. The fracture surface after biaxial flexural testing was also examined via Raman spectroscopy.

The Cercon specimens tested had flexural strength and Weibull modulus (m) of approximately 823.3 (+/-114.7) MPa and 8.3, respectively. As-received surfaces (1378.7 +/- 51.8 Hv) had slightly higher hardness value compared with polished surfaces (1354.33 +/- 50.9 Hv); however, two-way analysis of variance showed no significant difference in hardness values between polished and as-received surfaces (P > 0.05). Additionally, the specimens survived to 5 x 10(5) cycles when using a load of 70% of the mean biaxial flexural strength or lower. Raman microspectroscopy showed transformation of tetragonal to cubic and monoclinic phases within the indentation area. The fraction of monoclinic phase showed only limited variation with load or distance from the center to indentation edge. The level of cubic phase, however, was greatest at the indentation center. Transformation to cubic phase was observed on the lower surfaces (tension side) of fractured specimens. It was also observed near the specimen center exposed upon fracture. In the latter region an increase in monoclinic phase was additionally observed. Further work will be carried out using Raman microspectroscopy to assess the effect of fatigue on phase transformations.

The zirconia based ceramic has mechanical properties that may allow it to withstand the loading found in posterior areas. Transformation toughening was found when high loads impacted on the surface of zirconia. However it should be born in mind that this work was not carried out on veneered specimens, which exhibit different failure modes.