Characterization of three commercial Y-TZP ceramics produced for their High-Translucency, High-Strength and High-Surface Area

• Published in: Ceramics international 2016-01, Vol.42 (1), p.1077-1085
• Main Authors: Tong, Hui, Tanaka, Carina B., Kaizer, Marina R., Zhang, Yu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: C. Mechanical properties; C. Optical properties; Edge chipping; Monolithic zirconia; Y-TZP
• ISSN: 0272-8842; 1873-3956
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2015.09.033

Developing yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) with high strength and translucency could significantly widen the clinical indications of monolithic zirconia restorations. This study investigates the mechanical and optical properties of three Y-TZP ceramics: High-Translucency, High-Strength and High-Surface Area. The four-point bending strengths (mean±standard error) for the three Y-TZP ceramics (n=10) were 990±39, 1416±33 and 1076±32MPa for High-Translucency, High-Strength and High-Surface Area, respectively. The fracture toughness values (mean±standard error) for the three zirconias (n=10) were 3.24±0.10, 3.63±0.12 and 3.21±0.14MPam1/2 for High-Translucency, High-Strength and High-Surface Area, respectively. Both strength and toughness values of High-Strength zirconia were significantly higher than High-Surface Area and High-Translucency zirconias. Translucency parameter values of High-Translucency zirconia were considerably higher than High-Strength and High-Surface Area zirconias. However, all three zirconias became essentially opaque when their thickness reached 1mm or greater. Our findings suggest that there exists a delicate balance between mechanical and optical properties of the current commercial Y-TZP ceramics.