Rubens M. Nascimento

Finite element analysis of the residual thermal stresses on functionally gradated dental restorations

The aim of this work was to study, using the finite element method (FEM), the distribution of thermal residual stresses arising in metal-ceramic dental restorations after cooling from the processing temperature. Three different interface configurations were studied: with conventional sharp transition; one with a 50% metal-50% ceramic interlayer; and one with a compositionally functionally gradated material (FGM) interlayer. The FE analysis was performed based on experimental data obtained from Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) and Dilatometry (DIL) studies of the monolithic materials and metal/ceramic composites. Results have shown significant benefits of using the 50% metal-50% ceramic interlayer and the FGM interlayer over the conventional sharp transition interface configuration in reduction of the thermal residual stress and improvement of stress profiles. Maximum stresses magnitudes were reduced by 10% for the crowns with 50% metal-50% ceramic interlayer and by 20% with FGM interlayer. The reduction in stress magnitude and smoothness of the stress distribution profile due to the gradated architectures might explain the improved behavior of these novel dental restorative systems relative to the conventional one, demonstrated by in-vitro studies already reported in literature.

Synthesis and characterization of La1-xSr xMnO3±δ powders obtained by the polymeric precursor route

Polycrystalline strontium-doped lanthanum manganite (LSM) powders with 0.15, 0.22, and 0.30 mol % Sr were synthesized by the polymeric precursor route using a molar ratio of 3:1 citric acid and metal cations. The powders were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis, high-temperature X-ray diffraction to determine the crystalline perovskite phase and crystallite sizes, scanning electron microscopy for the morphological analysis, nitrogen adsorption to determine the specific surface area, and laser scattering to evaluate the particle size distribution. The LSM perovskite-type oxides containing intermediate 0.22 mol % Sr were found to exhibit a tendency to decrease in crystallite size and increase in specific surface area and, when calcined at 700-900 oC exhibited a pure phase of perovskite, had a crystallite size of about 17-20 nm and a specific surface area for 900 oC of 34.3 m2.g-1.

Production and characterization of natural rubber-Ca/P blends for biomedical purposes.

This study presents the development of natural rubber-Ca/P blends, as promising candidates for biomedical purposes. The specific objective was the incorporation of Ca/P into a natural rubber polymeric matrix. Ca/P crystalline phases were synthesized by the sol-gel method and the polymeric matrices were produced using natural rubber extracted from latex of the Hevea brasiliensis. The shape and size of natural rubber particles present in the NR membrane, as well as, the way the Ca/P powder grains aggregate in the polymeric matrix were investigated, giving information about the interactions between the Ca/P and the natural rubber particles. Confocal fluorescence scanning microscopy measurements allowed us to propose a structure where the Ca/P grains are surrounded by natural rubber particles. This structure may mediate Ca(2+) release for tissue regeneration. The system investigated may open new horizons for development of a bandage which provides the controlled-release of biomaterials.

Fracture and shear bond strength analyses of different dental veneering ceramics to zirconia

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the interaction of different layering porcelains with zirconia via shear bond strength test and microscopy. Four different groups of dental veneering porcelains (VM9, Zirkonzanh, Ceramco, IPS) were fused onto forty zirconia-based cylindrical substrates (8mm in diameter and 12 mm in height) (n=10), according to the manufacturers recommendations. Additionally, layered dental porcelain (D-sign, Ivoclar) was fired on ten Ni-Cr cylindrical substrates Shear bond strength tests of the veneering porcelain to zirconia or Ni-Cr were carried out at a crosshead speed of 0.5mm/min. After the shear bond tests, the interfaces were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The fracture type exhibited by the different systems was also assessed. The results were statistically analyzed by ANOVA at a significant level of p<.05. The shear bond strength values of the porcelain-to-NiCr interfaces (25.3±7.1 MPa) were significantly higher than those recorded for the following porcelain-to-zirconia systems: Zirkonzanh (18.8±1 MPa), Ceramco (18.2±4.7 MPa), and IPS (16±4.5 MPa). However, no significant differences were found in the shear bond strength values between the porcelain-to-NiCr and porcelain (VM9)-to-zirconia (23.2±5.1 MPa) groups (p>.05). All-ceramic interfaces revealed mixed failure type, cohesive in the porcelain and adhesive at the interface. This study demonstrated that all-ceramic systems do not attain yet the same bond strength standards equivalent to metal-ceramic systems. Therefore, despite the esthetic appeal of all-ceramic restorations, the adhesion between the porcelain and zirconia framework is still an issue considering the long term success of the restoration.

Brazing of metals to zirconia mechanically metallized with titanium

The mechanical metallization is a successful technique at laboratory scale and specially applied to oxide ceramics. Indirect brazing process of zirconia to metals is achieved using active-metal-free filler alloys on previously metallized ceramic. Stabilized zirconia ceramics were mechanically metallized with Ti and wetting conditions evaluated using commercial Ag-Cu and Au-Ni fillers with its respective thermal cycles. Better results were selected for brazing ceramic to metals in a high-vacuum furnace. Reliable vacuum tight ceramic/metal joints were obtained specially using the Ag-28Cu filler for results below 10-8 mbar.l.s-1; samples at the joint cross-section were examined by microstructural analysis techniques and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Microhardness profiles were made across the joints interface where zirconia undergone a typical darkening effect during brazing. Microstructure at the braze region revealed a dark reaction layer and precipitation zone closely to metallized ceramic surface for zirconia/Ti-6Al4V joints due to chemical interactions between the individual components.

Mechanical and chemical analyses across dental porcelain fused to CP titanium or Ti6Al4V

The aim of this study was to evaluate the evolution of mechanical properties and chemical variation across veneering dental porcelain fused to different titanium-based substrates. Test samples were synthesized by fusing dental feldspar-based porcelain onto commercially pure titanium grade II or Ti6Al4V alloy. Samples were cross-sectioned at angles of 10 and 90° to the interface plane. Afterwards, nanoindentation tests and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) imaging coupled to an Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) system were carried out across interfaces extending from the metal towards the porcelain area. Elemental diffusion profiles across the porcelain-to-metal interfaces were also obtained by EDS analysis. The mismatch in mechanical properties found in porcelain-to-Ti6Al4V interfaces was lower than that of porcelain-to-CP titanium. Cracking was noticed at low-thickness veneering dental porcelain regions after the nanoindentation tests of samples cross-sectioned at low angles to the interface plane. A wide reaction zone between titanium and porcelain as well as higher incidence of defects was noticed at the porcelain-to-CP titanium interfaces. This study confirmed Ti6Al4V as an improved alternative to CP-titanium as it showed to establish a better interface with the veneering dental porcelain considering the slight chemical interaction and the lower mechanical properties mismatch. The elastic modulus of porcelain-to-Ti6Al4V samples showed to be less sensitive to porcelain thickness variations.

Effect of Zirconia and Alumina Fillers on the Microstructure and Mechanical Strength of Dental Glass Ionomer Cements

Background: Glass-ionomer cements perform a protective effect on the dentin-pulp complex considering the F ions release and chemical bonding to the dental structures. On the other hand, those materials have poor physic-mechanical properties in comparison with the restorative resin composite. The main aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of zirconia and/or alumina fillers on the microstructure and strength of a resin modified glass-ionomer cement after thermal cycling. Methods: An in vitro experimental study was carried out on 9 groups (n = 10) of cylindrical samples (6 x 4 mm) made from resin modified glass-ionomer (Vitremer, 3M, USA) with different contents of alumina and/or zirconia fillers. A nano-hybrid resin composite was tested as a control group. Samples were mechanically characterized by axial compressive tests and electron scanning microscopy (SEM) coupled to energy dispersive X-ray spectrophotometry (EDS), before and after thermal cycling. Thermal cycling procedures were performed at 3000, 6000 and 10000 cycles in Fusayama´s artificial saliva at 5 and 60 oC. Results: An improvement of compressive strength was noticed on glass-ionomer reinforced with alumina fillers in comparison with the commercial glass ionomer. SEM images revealed the morphology and distribution of alumina or zirconia in the microstructure of glass-ionomers. Also, defects such as cracks and pores were detected on the glass-ionomer cements. The materials tested were not affected by thermal cycling in artificial saliva. Conclusion: Addition of inorganic particles at nano-scale such as alumina can increase the mechanical properties of glass-ionomer cements. However, the presence of cracks and pores present in glass-ionomer can negatively affect the mechanical properties of the material because they are areas of stress concentration.

Removal Torque and Biofilm Accumulation at Two Dental Implant-Abutment Joints After Fatigue.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the removal torque and in vitro biofilm penetration at Morse taper and hexagonal implant-abutment joints after fatigue tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixty dental implants were divided into two groups: (1) Morse taper and (2) external hexagon implant-abutment systems. Fatigue tests on the implant-abutment assemblies were performed at a normal force (FN) of 50 N at 1.2 Hz for 500,000 cycles in growth medium containing human saliva for 72 hours. Removal torque mean values (n = 10) were measured after fatigue tests. Abutments were then immersed in 1% protease solution in order to detach the biofilms for optical density and colony-forming unit (CFU/cm²) analyses. Groups of implant-abutment assemblies (n = 8) were cross-sectioned at 90 degrees relative to the plane of the implant-abutment joints for the microgap measurement by field-emission guns scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS Mean values of removal torque on abutments were significantly lower for both Morse taper (22.1 ± 0.5 μm) and external hexagon (21.1 ± 0.7 μm) abutments after fatigue tests than those recorded without fatigue tests (respectively, 24 ± 0.5 μm and 24.8 ± 0.6 μm) in biofilm medium for 72 hours (P = .04). Mean values of microgap size for the Morse taper joints were statistically signicantly lower without fatigue tests (1.7 ± 0.4 μm) than those recorded after fatigue tests (3.2 ± 0.8 μm). Also, mean values of microgap size for external hexagon joints free of fatigue were statistically signicantly lower (1.5 ± 0.4 μm) than those recorded after fatigue tests (8.1 ± 1.7 μm) (P < .05). The optical density of biofilms and CFU mean values were lower on Morse taper abutments (Abs630nm at 0.06 and 2.9 × 10⁴ CFU/cm²) than that on external hexagon abutments (Abs630nm at 0.08 and 4.5 × 10⁴ CFU/cm²) (P = .01). CONCLUSION The mean values of removal torque, microgap size, and biofilm density recorded at Morse taper joints were lower in comparison to those recorded at external hexagon implant-abutment joints after fatigue tests in a simulated oral environment for 72 hours.

Characterization and Acidic Properties of AlMCM-41 Prepared by Conventional and Post-Synthesis Alumination

The catalysts analysed in the current work are variations of MCM-41. The properties of these highly ordered mesoporous aluminosilicates were adjusted by an isomorphous substitution of Si by a trivalent cation, in this case Al3+, generating catalysts of the AlMCM-41 type. The materials were synthesized with a silicon/aluminium ratio of 40, through two methods of impregnation of the metal: conventional and post-synthesis alumination. With the aim of determining the density of the acid sites of the Al40MCM-41 prepared by post-synthesis and conventional alumination, studies of the adsorption of n-butylamine probe molecule were carried out. Further, the studied material was characterized by thermogravimetry measurements, providing the profile of decomposition of the samples, which allowed calculation of the densities of the acid sites. The model-free kinetic algorithms were applied in order to determinate conversion and apparent activation energy. Comparison of energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements indicated that the post-synthesis method was more favourable based on the metal positioning, ‘anchored’ in the surface of the catalyst. The textural properties of the calcined Al40MCM-41 prepared by post-synthesis and conventional alumination were characterized by X-ray diffraction, N2 isothermal adsorption measurements (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller and Barrett–Joyner–Halenda), transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

Two-Step Sintering Applied to Ceramics

During the process of sintering of ceramics, it is necessary to apply high temperature owing the high melting point of the raw materials. In general, a ceramist, wishing to produce a material with particular properties, must identify the required microstructure and then design processing conditions that will produce this required microstructure (Lutgard et al., 2003). One of the options to adapt the microstructure is a technique called two step sintering (TSS), this technique has been applied to the sintering of ceramic oxides to achieve full density without grain growth in final stage of sintering without loss densification (Chen & Wand, 2000). The two-step sintering process consists in to heat a ceramic body to a peak temperature (T1) to achieve an intermediate density and then the temperature is reduced to a dwell temperature (T2), which is held till full density is achieved. To succeed in two-step sintering, a sufficiently high relative density (70% or greater) needs to be achieved at T1 (Chen & Wang, 2000 & Chen, 2000). Once this critical density is reached, a lower temperature, T2, used for the isothermal hold will be sufficient to achieve full density. Difference between kinetics of grain boundary diffusion and grain boundary migration is used to obtain almost full dense, nanostructured ceramics. During the last stage of the sintering occur the grain growth in materials, this implicate in final properties, like mechanical resistance, density, ionic and electrical conductivity and others (Robert et al., 2003). The two-step sintering has been applied in many mateirals with the main goal of avoiding the grain growth in final stage of sintering, the results show the TSS is a technique efficient for it. Some application for two-step sintering are materials which need high density and small grain size, for example electrolytes of solid oxide fuel cell, as ceramics based in Y2O3 and CeO2, both with and without doppant (Wang et al., 2006; Wright, 2008 & Lapa, 2009). Others examples in which TSS are used also as nanostructural fosterite (Fathi, et al., 2009), alumina-zirconia ceramics (Wang et al., 2008), TiBaO3 and Ni-Cu-Zn Ferrite (Wang et al., 2006), ZnO (Shahraki et al., 2010). In this cases, the researchs are getting the relative density higher than 97% and the size grains in level sub-micrometer.