Influence of Sintering Process on the Mechanical Properties of Dental Zirconia Ceramics

摘要

Densification and mechanical properties of dental zirconia ceramics were evaluated by different sintering methods. Y-TZP zirconia block was used in this study. Sintering was performed in an electric heating furnace and a microwave sintering furnace, and then experimented and analyzed by change in densification according to the sintering time, change in densification according to thickness, flexural strength and micro-structure of zirconia specimens. Microwave sintering was very effective in considerable mechanical properties such as flexural strength and bulk density was drastically increased when compared with the conventional electric heating method. It is also shown that microwave sintering was faster and more economical than the common method that is present in qualities which equal or exceed those used in the study. It will be important to seek the accurate sintering condition of dental zirconia by microwave sintering method and continuous research is necessary for the study of the relationship between sintering methods and mechanical properties.