Time-dependent degree of conversion, Martens parameters, and flexural strength of different dual-polymerizing resin composite luting materials

OBJECTIVE To investigate the degree of conversion (DC), Martens hardness (HM), elastic indentation modulus (EIT), and biaxial flexural strength (BFS) of six dual-polymerizing resin composite luting materials initially and after 2 and 7 days of aging. MATERIALS AND METHODS Specimens fabricated from Bifix QM (BIF; VOCO), Calibra Ceram (CAL; Dentsply Sirona), DuoCem (DUO; Coltène/Whaledent), G-CEM LinkForce (GCE; GC Europe), PANAVIA V5 (PAN; Kuraray Europe), and Variolink Esthetic DC (VAR; Ivoclar Vivadent) (n = 12 per material) were light-polymerized through 1~mm thick discs (Celtra Duo, Dentsply Sirona). DC, HM, and EIT were recorded directly after fabrication, and after 2 and 7~days of aging. As a final test, BFS was measured. Univariate ANOVAs, Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, Friedman, and Wilcoxon tests, and Weibull modulus were computed (p < 0.05). RESULTS While CAL presented low DC, HM, EIT, and BFS values, DUO and BIF showed high results. Highest Weibull moduli were observed for VAR and DUO. DC and Martens parameters increased between the initial measurement and 2~days of aging, while aging for 7~days provided no further improvement. CONCLUSIONS The choice of dual-polymerizing resin composite luting material plays an important role regarding chemical and mechanical properties, especially with patients sensitive to toxicological issues. DUO may be recommended for bonding fixed dental prostheses, as it demonstrated significantly highest and reliable results regarding DC, HM, and BFS. As DC and HM showed an increase in the first 48~h, it may be assumed that the polymerization reaction is not completed directly after initial polymerization, which is of practical importance to dentists and patients. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The chemical and mechanical properties of dual-polymerizing resin composite luting materials influence the overall stability and long-term performance of the restoration

Impact of different pretreatments and aging procedures on the flexural strength and phase structure of zirconia ceramics

OBJECTIVE To test the impact of zirconia pretreatment and aging on flexural strength and phase structure. METHODS For flexural strength measurements, 180 3Y-TZP$_{0.25}$ specimens were fabricated and pretreated: (i) air-abraded (105-μm alumina, 0.25MPa), (ii) air-abraded (50-μm alumina, 0.25MPa), (iii) air-abraded (30-μm silica-coated alumina, 0.28MPa) (iv) non-pretreated. Each pretreated group (n=15) was aged: (a) hydrothermal (134°C, 0.23MPa, 2h) (b) in a mastication simulator (1,200,000×, 5/55°C) and (c) not aged. The fractured specimens were stored dry for 5 years (23°C) for analysis of phase transformation. Additionally, specimens were fabricated from 3Y-TZP$_{0.25}$ (n=12) and 3Y-TZP$_{0.05}$ (n=8), pretreated (i, ii, iii, iv), and hydrothermally aged. Each air-abrasion method was alternated using 0.05, 0.25 and 0.4MPa pressure. The phase transformation was examined by Raman spectroscopy and surface topography by scanning electron microscope. Data were analyzed using univariate ANOVA with the Scheffé post hoc test and partial-eta-squared (ƞ$_{p}$²) (α=0.05). RESULTS The highest impact on flexural strength was exerted by the pretreatment (η$_{P}$²=0.261, p<0.001), followed by interactions between pretreatment and aging (η$_{P}$²=0.077, p=0.033). Non-pretreated and non-aged specimens showed the lowest monoclinic percentage. Hydrothermal aging and 5 years of storage at room temperature increased the monolithic percentage of 3Y-TZP$_{0.25}$. The highest phase transformation was observed in groups air-abraded with 105-μm alumina particles. Increasing pressure during the air-abrading process increased the content of the monoclinic phase in zirconia surfaces. SIGNIFICANCE Air-abrasion with 30-μm silica-coated alumina powder can be recommended for pretreatment of 3Y-TZP$_{0.25}$ and 3Y-TZP$_{0.05}$. For air-abrasion using alumina powder lower pressure should be used

Impact of the material and sintering protocol, layer thickness, and thermomechanical aging on the two-body wear and fracture load of 4Y-TZP crowns.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of the material and corresponding sintering protocol, layer thickness, and aging on the two-body wear (2BW) and fracture load (FL) of 4Y-TZP crowns. MATERIALS AND METHODS Multi-layer 4Y-TZP crowns in three thicknesses (0.5 mm/1.0 mm/1.5 mm) were sintered by high-speed (Zolid RS) or conventional (Zolid Gen-X) sintering. 2BW of ceramic and enamel antagonist after aging (1,200,000 mechanical-, 6000 thermal-cycles) was determined by 3D-scanning before and after aging and subsequent matching to determine volume and height loss (6 subgroups, n = 16/subgroup). FL was examined initially and after aging (12 subgroups, n = 16/subgroup). Fractographic analyses were performed using light-microscope imaging. Global univariate analysis of variance, one-way ANOVA, linear regression, Spearman's correlation, Kolgomorov-Smirnov, Mann-Whitney U, and t test were computed (alpha = 0.05). Weibull moduli were determined. Fracture types were analyzed using Ciba Geigy table. RESULTS Material/sintering protocol did not influence 2BW (crowns: p = 0.908, antagonists: p = 0.059). High-speed sintered Zolid RS presented similar (p = 0.325-0.633) or reduced (p < 0.001-0.047) FL as Zolid Gen-X. Both 4Y-TZPs showed an increased FL with an increasing thickness (0.5(797.3-1429 N) < 1.0(2087-2634 N) < 1.5(2683-3715 N)mm; p < 0.001). For most groups, aging negatively impacted FL (p < 0.001-0.002). Five 0.5 mm specimens fractured, four showed cracks during and after aging. CONCLUSIONS High-speed sintered crowns with a minimum thickness of 1.0 mm showed sufficient mechanical properties to withstand masticatory forces, even after a simulated aging period of 5 years. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Despite the manufacturer indicating a thickness of 0.5 mm to be suitable for single crowns, a minimum thickness of 1.0 mm should be used to ensure long-term satisfactory results

Chemical and mechanical properties of dual-polymerizing core build-up materials

Objectives To investigate the chemical (degree of conversion (DC)) and mechanical properties (Martens hardness (HM), elastic indentation modulus (E-IT), and biaxial flexural strength (BFS)) of four dual-polymerizing resin composite core build-up materials after light- and self-polymerization. Materials and methods Round specimens with a diameter of 12 mm and a thickness of 1.5 mm were manufactured from CLEARFIL DC CORE PLUS (CLE;Kuraray), core center dot X flow (COR;Dentsply Sirona), MultiCore Flow (MUL;Ivoclar Vivadent), and Rebilda DC (REB;VOCO) (N = 96, n = 24/material). Half of the specimens were light-polymerized (Elipar DeepCure-S, 3 M), while the other half cured by self-polymerization (n = 12/group). Immediately after fabrication, the DC, HM, E-IT, and BFS were determined. Data was analyzed using Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis tests, Spearman's correlation, and Weibull statistics (p < 0.05). Results Light-polymerization either led to similar E-IT (MUL;p = 0.119) and BFS (MUL and REB;p = 0.094-0.326) values or higher DC, HM, E-IT, and BFS results (all other groups;p < 0.001-0.009). When compared with the other materials, COR showed a high DC (p < 0.001) and HM (p < 0.001) after self-polymerization and the highest BFS (p = 0.020) and Weibull modulus after light-polymerization. Positive correlations between all four tested parameters (R = 0.527-0.963, p < 0.001) were found. Conclusions For the tested resin composite core build-up materials, light-polymerization led to similar or superior values for the degree of conversion, Martens hardness, elastic indentation modulus, and biaxial flexural strength than observed after self-polymerization. Among the tested materials, COR should represent the resin composite core build-up material of choice due to its high chemical (degree of conversion) and mechanical (Martens hardness, elastic indentation modulus, and biaxial flexural strength) properties and its high reliability after light-polymerization. The examined chemical and mechanical properties showed a positive correlation

Development of a high pressure die casting tool for partial integration of glass fiber structures

Due to the growing demand for lightweight solutions in a wide range of industries, the selection and combination of various materials is becoming more and more important. As a result, the need for suitable joining technologies is increasing along with it. Within the DFG research group "Schwarz-Silber" ("black-silver"), Fraunhofer IFAM is investigating so-called transitional structures in cooperation with the University of Bremen. In this process, glass fiber structures are integrated into aluminum by a high pressure die casting process. These structures are used for the electrochemical insulation between aluminum and carbon fiber textiles, which are connected by textile processes in a subsequent production step. A solid hybrid structure is finally achieved through a resin-impregnation process. The key challenges are the positioning, pre-tensioning and infiltration of the glass fiber structures within the high pressure die casting process. In order to meet these challenges, a customized die casting tool was developed within the project. With the aid of mold-filling simulations, the die system of the die casting tool was optimized to achieve better infiltration of the fiber bundles and to additionally support the position of the glass fibers in the casting process. After the design of the molding tool, the implementation was carried out in collaboration with a toolmaker. In subsequent, up-to-date investigations, the positioning and infiltration of different variants of glass fiber structures is evaluated. The results are compared with previous attempts to position and infiltrate the glass fiber structures to assess the effect of the optimized newly designed tool

Mechanical characterization of integral aluminum-FRP-structures produced by high pressure die-casting

Due to the growing demand for light-weight solutions in a wide range of industrial sectors, the selection and combination of different materials is becoming more and more important. As a result, there is an increasing need for suitable joining technologies. In a new joining process, flexible glass fiber textiles are integrated into aluminum by high pressure die casting in the first production step. These structures are used for the electrochemical insulation between aluminum and carbon fiber textiles, which are connected in the subsequent production step by textile technology. The finished compound is formed in a final resin impregnation process. Challenges faced by Fraunhofer IFAM lie in the positioning, pre-tensioning, and infiltration of the glass fiber textiles in the high pressure die-casting process. The advantage of this joining technology, in addition to the electrochemical insulation between aluminum and carbon fibers, is in a slim and light-weight connection. Therefore, no thickening of the individual joining partners is necessary, and the force flow lines are not deflected. Within mechanical investigations of those hybrid structures it was determined, that the infiltration content of aluminum has only a small influence on the achievable tensile strength. Rather, casting parameters such as the holding pressure have an influence. The subsequent resin infusion process enables an additional infiltration by the resin system of fiber bundles that have been only slightly infiltrated with aluminum. As a result, additional adhesion can be achieved and the infiltration gaps can be closed. Furthermore, an influence on the achievable tensile strength was observed regarding the use of the fiber material. Further increases in tensile strengths were also observed by adapting the textile parameters (e.g. reduction of the fiber undulations). A variety of failure behaviors could be observed in dependence on textile and process parameters. Tensile strength of the hybrid structures was compared to reference samples made of glass fiber reinforced epoxy resin, to determine the loss of strength caused by the joining technology. Further investigations were carried out, including a fracture surface analysis using a scanning electron microscope. Thus it was possible to determine mechanisms of adhesion between encapsulated glass fibers and the surrounding aluminum matrix

Tragverhalten von verklebten Holz-Beton- und Holz-Polymerbeton-Verbunddecken mit Buchen-Stabschichtholz

Timber-concrete composites represent an attractive solution for nowadays requirements for slab systems in multi-story timber and timber-hybrid buildings. Hereby, the connection between timber and concrete majorly influences the static performance, and an optimum can be reached using a fully rigid, i.e. adhesive-bonded connection. However, the lack of technical development on suitable adhesive systems, in view of load bearing capacity and durability, still prevented the application of such systems in practice. Here, two performant alternatives of adhesive-bonded TCC connections were characterized by large-scale bending tests: (1) A wet-process system using a hybrid epoxy-STP adhesive convenient for gluing beech glued-laminated timber with classical cement-based concrete, and (2) a directly-bonding connection between the beech wood and an epoxy-based polymer-concrete as a feasible and promising alternative to cement-based concrete