Study of the anisotropy of the properties of the ceramic cutting insert obtained by the LCM technology of 3D printing from the composite Al2O3/ZrO2 (ZTA)

The anisotropy of the properties of a ceramic cutting insert (for three faces) obtained by the lithography-based technology from the Al2O3 + ZrO2 composite has been studied. The study was carried out using the indentation method and Mayer’s law. This method, in contrast to the bending test, excludes the sample destruction. All the studies were carried out on three faces of a ceramic cutting insert made of a composite Al2O3 + ZrO2. The behavior of the Mayer index was studied in the range of loads from 2 to 20 kg and from 0.2 to 1 kg. The results of studying the density, phase composition and microstructure of each face of the sample are presented. The study of the adhesion of the printed layers were also carried out using a Knoop indenter. No anisotropy of the hardness was observed in the load range up to 10 kg. It is shown that a layered structure present in the sample, contributes to the hardness anisotropy under the load of 20 kg and more. No anisotropy of the fracture toughness is observed in the load range of 2 – 20 kg. The results of using a Knoop indenter revealed a high adhesion between 3D printed layers. Studies using a Knoop indenter have indicated high adhesion between the layers of 3D printing.

A Further Study on Knoop Indentation Plastic Deformation for Evaluating Residual Stress

A method for evaluating residual stress using an instrumented indentation test was developed some decades ago. More recently, another method was developed, using a Knoop indenter. The conversion factor ratio, which is one of the key factors in the evaluation algorithm, has been taken to be 0.34, although this value comes from an experimental result and its physical meaning has not been examined. Here we examine the physical meaning of this conversion factor from the previous residual stress model, and calculate its ratio using analytical model of the stress field beneath the indenter. In this process, we assumed that the conversion factor ratio was the ratio of the projected area of the plastic zone generated during the Knoop indentation test. An analysis of the stress field beneath the indenter was performed by FE simulation. Actual nanoindentation was conducted after Knoop indentation testing, using the interface-bonding technique, to identify the plastic zone. In addition, the conversion factor ratio was also calculated for the case where residual stress was present, and the geometric ratio of the Knoop indenter was different. A comparison of our results with those from previous studies showed that the conversion factor ratio obtained using our assumption was in good agreement with previous studies.

Evaluation of Different Dentifrice Compositions for Increasing the Hardness of Demineralized Enamel: An in Vitro Study

This study aimed to evaluate microhardness of a dentifrice containing fluoride and arginine compared to a positive control (fluoride only) and a negative control (no fluoride) on sound and demineralized bovine enamel surfaces. Specimens were randomly assigned to different treatments that included daily pH cycling and brushing three times a day with one of the following dentifrices (n = 8): Neutraçucar (arginine and fluoride), Colgate Total 12 (fluoride) and My First Colgate (no fluoride). Enamel carious lesions were artificially created one week before the beginning of these treatments (demineralized bovine enamel (DE) groups). The same groups were also tested in sound enamel (sound bovine enamel (SE) groups). Microhardness was measured at baseline and after one, two, and five weeks of treatment using a Knoop indenter. Statistical analysis involved two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s test. After five weeks, both Total 12 and Neutraçucar had increased the microhardness of DE specimens (p < 0.05). Only Neutraçucar had increased the microhardness of the sound enamel after five weeks of treatment. Thus, it could be concluded that arginine-based dentifrices increase the microhardness of sound and demineralized bovine enamel surfaces.

Numerical Simulation of the Depth-Sensing Indentation Test with Knoop Indenter

Depth-sensing indentation (DSI) technique allows easy and reliable determination of two mechanical properties of materials: hardness and Young’s modulus. Most of the studies are focusing on the Vickers, Berkovich, and conical indenter geometries. In case of Knoop indenter, the existing experimental and numerical studies are scarce. The goal of the current study is to contribute for the understanding of the mechanical phenomena that occur in the material under Knoop indention, enhancing and facilitating the analysis of its results obtained in DSI tests. For this purpose, a finite element code, DD3IMP, was used to numerically simulate the Knoop indentation test. A finite element mesh was developed and optimized in order to attain accurate values of the mechanical properties. Also, a careful modeling of the Knoop indenter was performed to take into account the geometry and size of the imperfection (offset) of the indenter tip, as in real cases.

Determination of Residual Stress Directionality by Instrumented Indentation Testing Using Anisotropic Indenter

Residual stress is a major factor in failure and fracture in structures or electronic components. Various testing methods are used to measure residual stress: there are saw-cutting, holedrilling, X-ray diffraction and layer-removing methods. In particular, instrumented indentation testing (IIT) has many advantages: it is a simple and non-destructive procedure that can be used for in-field testing. In previous research, we proposed an algorithm for evaluating the magnitude and directionality of residual stress using an asymmetric Knoop indenter with long and short axes in the ratio 7.11:1. Indenting in different directions with a Knoop indenter creates different indentation load-depth curves depending on the residual stress state. In addition, the directionality of the residual stress can be expressed as a function of the load difference ratio calculated from these load-depth curves. However, When the Knoop indentation test is performed at small indentation depths, experimental issues such as surface preparation or indentation normality can become significant as the load difference decreases. In order to solve these issues, we introduce a wedge indenter, that makes it possible to select the edge length independent of indentation depth. We can thus decrease indent size when working in a small testing area. The load difference between the stress-free and stressed state is related to the sensitivity of residual stresses, and a wedge indenter can maximize the sensitivity to residual stress. In this study, we suggest a way to use the wedge indenter and verify the model using cruciform bending specimens and finite element analysis.

Microhardness in pressing layers of prefabricated modified acrylic resin teeth

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the microhardness in pressing layers of prefabricated modified acrylic resin teeth. METHODS: Lower first molar teeth with two (Biotone(r) IPN and Bioform(r)) or three pressing layers (Artiplus(r), Trilux(r) Eurovipi, and Natusdent(r)) were hemisected in a bucco-lingual plane and embedded in a self-curing acrylic resin (n =10). Specimens were then ground flat and polished using 400, 600 and 1200 aluminium oxide paper in a rotatory polisher. In each pressing layer, microhardness was measured using a Knoop indenter in three different locations spaced 300 µm apart under a 10-g load, applied for 5 sec. RESULTS: Analysis of variance and Tukey's tests demonstrated that there was no difference in microhardness in the first layer of the teeth analyzed (p = 0.355), whereas in the second layer, the brand Artiplus(r) showed higher values when compared to the brand Natusdent(r) (p = 0.018). For the third layer, the brands Artiplus(r) and Trilux(r) Eurovipi revealed higher microhardness when compared to Natusdent(r) teeth (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: For the outer most superficial layer of the artificial teeth, the microhardness of the different brands was similar, while differences were noted for the second and third layers among the artificial teeth, with Artiplus(r) teeth showing higher microhardness than Natusdent(r).

A New Weak Chelator in Endodontics: Effects of Different Irrigation Regimens with Etidronate on Root Dentin Microhardness

This study investigated the effect of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), ethylenediaminetetraacetic (EDTA), etidronic (HEBP), and citric acid (CA) associated in different irrigation regimens on root dentin microhardness. Forty-five root halves of single-rooted teeth were sectioned into thirds that were embedded in acrylic resin, polished, randomly assigned into 3 groups, and treated as follows: G1: saline solution; G2: 5% NaOCl + 18% HEBP, mixed in equal parts; and G3: 2.5% NaOCl. After measurements, the G3 samples were distributed into subgroups G4, G5, and G6, which were submitted to 17% EDTA, 10% CA and 9% HEBP, respectively. Following the new measurements, these groups received a final flush with 2.5% NaOCl, producing G7, G8, and G9. Microhardness was measured with Knoop indenter under a 25 g load for 15 seconds, before and after treatments. The data were statistically analyzed using paired Student’st-test (α<0.05) to compare values before and after treatments and analysis of variance (ANOVA) (α<0.05) to detect any differences among thirds. Except G1, all tested irrigation regimens significantly decreased the microhardness. There were no differences between root thirds before treatments, and all root thirds exhibited equal responses to same treatment. Except saline, all tested irrigation regimens reduced the root dentin microhardness.