Effect of surface etching on the flexure strength and fracture toughness of Dicor disks containing controlled flaws

Previous studies have shown an increase in the failure load of Dicor glass-ceramic crowns of up to 97% when they were etched with NH4HF2 and luted with a resin-based cement compared with the use of unetched crowns luted with zinc phosphate cement. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the acid-etch treatment on the flexure strength and fracture toughness of Dicor glass-ceramic specimens containing controlled flaws. Annealed disks were divided into two groups of 14 each, and microcracks were induced in the surface with a Vickers indenter. Seven specimens from each sample set were etched with 10% NH4HF2 (Dicor etching gel) and were fractured in air using a piston-on-three-ball biaxial fixture. Fracture toughness values were determined from the flexure strengths and fractographic measurements of fracture-initiating flaws. Analysis of data by ANOVA and the Tukey's Studentized Range Test revealed no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the mean flexure strength or fracture toughness of the etched and unetched samples within group A or group B. For the sample groups tested, flaw modification by etching had no effect on the flexure strength or on the fracture toughness of Dicor specimens containing controlled flaws.