Fatigue and damage tolerance of Y-TZP ceramics in layered biomechanical systems

The fatigue properties of fine-grain Y-TZP in cyclic flexural testing are studied. Comparative tests on a coarser-grain alumina provide a baseline control. A bilayer configuration with ceramic plates bonded to a compliant polymeric substrate and loaded with concentrated forces at the top surfaces, simulating basic layer structures in dental crowns and hip replacement prostheses, is used as a basic test specimen. Critical times to initiate radial crack failure at the ceramic undersurfaces at prescribed maximum surface loads are measured for Y-TZP with as-polished surfaces, mechanically predamaged undersurfaces, and after a thermal aging treatment. No differences in critical failure conditions are observed between monotonic and cyclic loading on as-polished surfaces, or between as-polished and mechanically damaged surfaces in monotonic loading, consistent with fatigue controlled by slow crack growth. However, the data for mechanically damaged and aged specimens show substantial declines in sustainable stresses and times to failure in cyclic loading, indicating an augmenting role of mechanical and thermal processes in certain instances. In all cases, however, the sustainable stresses in the Y-TZP remain higher than that of the alumina, suggesting that with proper measures to avoid inherent structural instabilities, Y-TZP could provide superior performance in biomechanical applications.     

Low-temperature degradation of different zirconia ceramics for dental applications

The aim of this investigation was to determine the influence of simulated ageing on the tetragonal-to-monoclinic phase transformation and on the flexural strength of a 3Y-TZP ceramic, compared to alumina toughened zirconia (ATZ) and ceria-stabilized zirconia (12Ce-TZP). Standardized disc specimens of each material were hydrothermally aged in steam at 134°C and 3bar for 0, 16, 32, 64 or 128h. The phase transformation was determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy was performed to estimate the depth of the transformation zone. The flexural strength was investigated in a biaxial flexural test. XRD revealed a significant increase in the monoclinic phase content for 3Y-TZP and ATZ due to ageing, although this increase was less pronounced for ATZ. In contrast, the monoclinic phase content of 12Ce-TZP was not influenced. For 3Y-TZP and ATZ, a transformation zone was found of which the depth linearly correlated with ageing time, while for 12Ce-TZP no transformation zone could be observed. Changes in flexural strength after ageing were heterogeneous: while 3Y-TZP showed a significant decrease in strength - from 1740 to 1169 MPa - with ATZ there was a considerable increase - from 1093 to 1378 MPa. The flexural strength of 12Ce-TZP remained unaffected at the low level of about 500 MPa. These results indicate that both alumina and ceria, as stabilizing oxides, reduce the susceptibility of zirconia to hydrothermal degradation; the alternative use of these oxides may enhance the clinical long-term stability of dental zirconia restorations.     

Ceramic bonding to a dental gold-titanium alloy.

Investigations of the metal-ceramic bonding of the alloy Au98.2Ti1.7Ir0.1 (wt) in comparison with a well-approved traditional Au-Pt-Pd-based alloy were performed. Bond strength of both alloys, measured with a three-point flexure bond test, was in the same order of magnitude. Failure mode was different for both alloys. Failure of the bonding of the Au-Ti-Ir alloy predominantly occurred at the alloy-oxide interface. On the Au-Pt-Pd alloy more ceramic residues were observed. Sandblasting the metal surface with alumina increases the roughness of the surface, but only slightly increases the bond strength, independent of the grain size of the alumina. Immersion in a corrosive solution of sodium chloride and lactic acid reduced the bond strength of both alloys by about 35%. While this decrease for the Au-Pt-Pd alloy occurred after an immersion time of only two days, it took about 35 days for the Au-Ti alloy. The results indicate that the alloy Au98.2Ti1.7Ir0.1 (wt) provides sufficient ceramic adherence. The results also proved that the three-point flexure bond test used is a sensitive method for measuring metal-ceramic bond strength, thus supporting the decision to integrate this test within the international standard ISO 9693.     

Strength and reliability of surface treated Y-TZP dental ceramics

This work was undertaken to evaluate the effects of dental grinding and sandblasting on the biaxial flexural strength and Weibull modulus of various Y-TZP ceramics containing 3 mol% yttria. In addition, the susceptibility of pristine and mechanically treated materials to low-temperature degradation under the conditions adopted for testing the chemical solubility of dental ceramics was investigated. The results revealed that surface grinding and sandblasting exhibit a counteracting effect on the strength of Y-TZP ceramics. Dental grinding lowered the mean strength and Weibull modulus, whereas sandblasting provided a powerful method for strengthening, but at the expense of somewhat lower reliability. The finest-grained material exhibited the highest strength after sintering, but it was less damage tolerant than tougher, coarse-grained materials. Upon extraction with the acetic acid solution and the ammonia solution, a significant amount of tetragonal zirconia had transformed to monoclinic, but extensive microcracking and attendant strength degradation had not yet occurred. Standard grade Y-TZP ceramics are more resistant in an alkaline than in an acidic environment, and there was a strong grain-size dependence of the diffusion-controlled transformation. Since a special Y-TZP grade containing a small amount of alumina exhibited the highest damage tolerance and superior stability in an acidic environment, this material shows considerable promise for dental applications.     

Mechanical properties of calcia stabilized zirconia following in vivo and in vitro aging.

Aging studies were done on calcia stabilized zirconia rods of 72% theoretical density to determine the effect of actual and simulated biological environments on their strength. They were aged without stress in vitro in Ringer's solution for 1, 2 and 4weeks or in vivo in rabbits for 12 weeks. Rods aged in vitro showed mean losses in bending strength of 16, 17 and 19% respectively after 1, 2 and 4 weeks of immersion, while those aged in vivo showed a mean loss of 25%. It was concluded that the material tested would be unsatisfactory as an orthopedic replacement because of the rapid decrease in strength which occurred when exposed to actual or simulated biological media.     

The use of dense alumina-alumina ceramic combination in total hip replacement

The purpose of this article was to review the laboratory and clinical performances since 1970 of a total hip prosthesis using alumina-alumina combination. The chemical and physical properties of dense alumina ceramic were studied in relation to biocompatibility, mechanical strength, and surface properties. Through the examination of 35 retrieved implants, it was found that the long-term success of alumina-alumina total hip replacement depends on both the ceramic microstructure (small grain size with uniform distribution, minimum porosity, absence of inclusions) and implant geometry (sphericity deviation +/- 1 micron, radius tolerance between components 7-10 microns). Alumina component wear and fractures have disappeared with the use of high-performance materials and severe manufacturing quality control. Examination of human biopsies from well-fixed prostheses showed that alumina particles deposits increase with time with only a low-grade macrophagic reaction. When loosening occurred, an inflammatory reaction appeared; this reaction was less striking than with loose metal-polyethylene prostheses, however. The long-term behavior of cementless alumina cup fixation depends upon initial positioning and stability; survivorship analysis of the cemented ceramic cups showed an 88% survival probability after 8 years with a 1.6% average annual probability of revision. The percentage of surviving was 100% after 8 years in patients who were less than 50 years old. Aseptic loosenings occurring at the cup-cement interface were assumed to be related to stress protection secondary to the high rigidity of the ceramic leading to a weakening of the spongious bone supporting the cement mantle. Good bone stock quality as well as high-quality ceramic appear to be the prerequisites for durable fixation of alumina sockets.     

Strengthening of bone-implant interface by the use of granule coatings on alumina ceramics

Three different granule coatings (a granular alumina ceramic coating, a granular hydroxyapatite coating, and a polished granular hydroxyapatite coating) applied to alumina ceramic substrate were evaluated for their strengthening effects of the bone-implant interface in rabbit tibiae. For a comparison, noncoated alumina ceramics, and dense hydroxyapatite were assessed in the same way. The granular alumina ceramic coating, creating a bioinert, porous surface, was most effective due to a strong mechanical bond between the bone and implant. The interface strength was even higher than that of the dense hydroxyapatite. The granular hydroxyapatite coating, creating a bioactive, porous surface, was less effective than the granular alumina ceramic coating because of the brittleness of the hydroxyapatite granules, although it formed a direct and mechanical bond with bone tissue. The polished granular hydroxyapatite coating, creating a bioactive, smooth surface, was least effective because of the brittleness of the hydroxyapatite granules, though it presented an improved interface strength compared with that of the noncoated alumina ceramics due to a direct bond between the bone and hydroxyapatite granules.     

不同核心瓷与饰面瓷厚度比对氧化锆双层瓷结构强度的影响*

背景：氧化锆陶瓷的强度和韧性均优于传统的长石瓷和氧化铝陶瓷,其双层瓷结构的弯曲强度与核心瓷/饰面瓷厚度比相关。 目的：分析不同核心瓷与饰面瓷厚度比对氧化锆双层瓷结构强度及断裂方式的影响。 方法：将完全烧结的氧化锆块切割成0.5,0.8,1.0,1.2,1.5,2.0 mm 6种不同厚度的氧化锆瓷片,除2.0 mm厚度组(对照组)外,用自制磨具在0.5,0.8,1.0,1.2,1.5 mm厚度的氧化锆瓷片上堆塑饰面瓷,使得核心瓷与饰面瓷的厚度比分别为1∶3,2∶3,1∶1,3∶2,3∶1。 结果与结论：随着核心瓷与饰面瓷厚度比的增加,氧化锆双层瓷结构强度也随之增强。除核心瓷与饰面瓷厚度比2∶3组与1∶1组、3∶2组与3∶1组间差异无显著性意义外(P > 0.05),其余组间差异均有显著性意义(P < 0.05)。核心瓷与饰面瓷厚度比为1∶3、2∶3组均出现分层,断裂碎片在3片以上,而其他4组样本未出现分层,断裂碎片多为2片。表明核心瓷/饰面瓷厚度比可显著影响氧化锆双层瓷的结构强度。     

Strength and strength retention vitro,of absorbable,self-reinforced polyglycolide (PGA) rods for fracture fixation

The initial shear strength and changes in flexural strength of self-reinforced, absorbable polyglycolide (PGA) composite rods, submerged in distilled water (at 37°C) for a period of 6 wk, were investigated. The recently developed self-reinforced absorbable material consists of an absorbable polymeric matrix reinforced with fibres of the same polymer.The initial shear strength of self-reinforced cylindrical PGA rods with a diameter of 3.2 mm was 250 MPa and the initial flexural strength of the rods was 370 MPa. During the first week of immersion the level of flexural strength decreased very little i.e. to 320 MPa. The loss of flexural strength increased after 1 wk immersion. However, after 3 wk it was 90 MPa. After 5 wk the flexural strength decreased to the level of strength of cancellous bone i.e. 10–20 MPa.The γ-irradiation of the PGA rods (total dosage 2.5 Mrad) decreased the initial bending strength to 300 MPa but the hydrolytic behaviour of the rods was not changed.The in vitro strength and the strength retention of self-reinforced PGA rods are clearly better than the corresponding values for self-reinforced glycolide/lactide copolymer rods which we developed recently. Self-reinforced PGA rods are now used routinely in Helsinki University Central Hospital in the treatment of certain types of cancellous bone fracture.     

The effect of different powder particle size on mechanical properties of sintered alumina, resin- and glass-infused alumina

In this study, the compaction and sintering behavior of fine alumina powders of different particle sizes and the effect of matrix particle size on biaxial strength and fracture toughness of infused matrices were investigated. Three different alumina powders, In-Ceram alumina, A16SG, and RC172 were selected, representing a range of particle size and shape. RC172 and A16SG were dry-pressed. In-Ceram alumina was slip-cast following manufacturer's recommendations. Dry-pressed ceramic blocks were sectioned into disks with a thickness of 1.5-mm. Uninfused disks were sintered at four temperatures between 1250 degrees C and 1400 degrees C. For glass or resin infused specimens, alumina disks were sintered at 1250 degrees C for 2 h and separated into two groups for glass infusion and resin (UDMA/TEGDMA) infusion. Disks were tested for biaxial flexural strength with a universal testing machine (Instron) at 0.5-mm/min crosshead speeds. One-way ANOVA and Duncan's multiple range tests revealed that alumina disks with different smaller particle sizes have significantly higher biaxial strength (p < 0.05). The strength of the alumina matrix was greatly increased by glass and resin infusion. The biaxial strength of resin-infused alumina increased as particle size decreased, whereas strength of glass-infused alumina was constant.     

In vivo study on biocompatibility and bonding strength of hydroxyapatite-20vol%Ti composite with bone tissues in the rabbit

Biocompatibility and bonding strength of hydroxyapatite-20vol%Ti composite fabricated by hot-pressing technique with bone tissues in the rabbit were investigated by in vivo studies in comparison with those of Ti metal and dense HA ceramic. Although fibrous tissues formed at the interface between the composite and bone tissues at 3 weeks in vivo, bonding strength of the composite increases faster than that of dense HA after 4 weeks. At 3 months in vivo, bonding strength of the composite is higher than that of dense HA and exceeds 6.5 MPa. Moreover, as compared with the visible bonding interfaces between dense HA and new bones, the bonding interfaces for the composite cannot already be distinguished and the composite was osseointegrated fully with bone tissues into one bony body. The shear fracture of bonding strength test for the composite occurred in new bone zones near the interface, which indicates that bonding strength of the composite could even exceed the shear strength of new bones after 3 months in vivo. In conclusion, HA-Ti composite has better osteoconduction and osseointegration abilities than Ti metal and dense HA ceramic after 3 months in vivo and is a promising biomaterial for hard tissue replacement.     

Sandblasted titanium osteointegration in young, aged and ovariectomized sheep

To evaluate how aging and estrogen deficiency influence the success rate of Sandblasted Titanium (Ti/SA) implants, the osteointegration of Ti/SA rods was studied in the cortical and trabecular bone of 5 young, 5 aged and 5 ovariectomized (OVX) sheep. The characterization of the host bone by transiliac biopsies of the iliac crest showed a progressive rarefaction of trabecular bone in aged and OVX animals when compared to young ones. A significant reduction, both in cortical and trabecular bone, of the osteointegration rate of Ti/SA rods in the presence of estrogen deficiency compared to young animals was observed, while only a minor reduction was observed in aged animals. These results were confirmed by the pushout test in cortical bone. Bone quality affected the biological response of bone to Ti/SA implants in both trabecular and cortical bone; consequently, strategies to maximize the bone osteogenic properties of osteoporotic patients should be adopted.     

45S5 Bioglass-derived glass-ceramic scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Three-dimensional (3D), highly porous, mechanically competent, bioactive and biodegradable scaffolds have been fabricated for the first time by the replication technique using 45S5 Bioglass powder. Under an optimum sintering condition (1000 degrees C/1h), nearly full densification of the foam struts occurred and fine crystals of Na2Ca2Si3O9 formed, which conferred the scaffolds the highest possible compressive and flexural strength for this foam structure. Important findings are that the mechanically strong crystalline phase Na2Ca2Si3O9 can transform into an amorphous calcium phosphate phase after immersion in simulated body fluid for 28 days, and that the transformation kinetics can be tailored through controlling the crystallinity of the sintered 45S5 Bioglass. Therefore, the goal of an ideal scaffold that provides good mechanical support temporarily while maintaining bioactivity, and that can biodegrade at later stages at a tailorable rate is achievable with the developed Bioglass-based scaffolds.     

Aging test and dynamic fatigue test of apatite-wollastonite-containing glass ceramics and dense hydroxyapatite

The purpose of this study is to examine the changes in mechanical strength of two bioactive ceramics in living tissue. An aging test and dynamic fatigue test were performed using apatite-wollastonite-containing glass ceramics (A X W-GC) and dense hydroxyapatite (HA). Specimens (5 mm X 5 mm X 25 mm, abraded with No. 2000 Al2O3 powder) were implanted into subcutaneous tissue of rats for varying periods of time. The bending strength of aged samples was measured by the three-point loading method. The bending strength of A X W-GC was greater than that of HA (P less than 0.001). There was no reduction in bending strength for both A X W-GC and HA in living tissue. The n value of both A X W-GC and HA did not decrease significantly after implantation as assessed by the results of the dynamic fatigue test according to analysis of covariance. SEM-EPMA showed that Si and Mg contents decreased, Ca content did not change, while P content increased in the surface of A X W-GC. The area where x-ray intensity changed increased moderately after implantation. There were no changes in Ca and P at the interface between HA and soft tissue. In macroscopic and microscopic observations, specimens were found to be encapsulated with a thin layer of connective tissue. Foreign body giant cells, osteoblasts, or osteoclasts were not observed in the soft tissue. There was no bonding between ceramics and soft tissue.     

Elongation of brachymetatarsy with ceramic implant: a roentgenographic evaluation of its utility

The metatarsal bone was elongated by intercalary implantation of a single-crystal alumina ceramic in 7 patients with brachymetatarsy. The implants were encased with new bone 24 months after surgery and resulted in 5.2 to 9.2 mm elongation of the metatarsal bone. The response of the bone to the ceramic implant was observed roentgenographically. No resorption or pseudoarthrosis of the bones, nor loosening or breakage of the implants, were observed. The alumina ceramic implant proved to be a useful substitute for a bone graft, because of its biocompatibility and strength.     

Advanced nanocomposite materials for orthopaedic applications. I. A long-term in vitro wear study of zirconia-toughened alumina

The use of ceramic-on-ceramic (alumina- and zirconia-based) couplings in hip joint prostheses has been reported to produce lower wear rates than other combinations (i.e., metal-on-polyethylene and ceramic-on-polyethylene). The addition of zirconia into an alumina matrix (zirconia-toughened alumina, ZTA) has been reported to result in an enhancement of flexural strength, fracture toughness, and fatigue resistance. The development of new processing routes in nonaqueous media has allowed to obtain high-density ZTA nanocomposites with a very homogeneous microstructure and a significantly smaller and narrower particle-size distribution of zirconia than conventional powder mixing methods. The aim of the present study was to set up and validate a new ZTA nanocomposite by testing its biocompatibility and wear behavior in a hip-joint simulator in comparison with commercial alumina and experimental alumina specimens. The primary osteoblast proliferation onto ZTA nanocomposite samples was found to be not significantly different from that onto commercial alumina samples. After 7 million cycles, no significant differences were observed between the wear behaviors of the three sets of cups. In this light, it can be affirmed that ZTA nanocomposite materials can offer the option of improving the lifetime and reliability of ceramic joint prostheses.     

Testing of silicon nitride ceramic bearings for total hip arthroplasty

Modern ceramic bearings used in total hip arthroplasty (THA) consist of a femoral head (ball) articulating inside a hemispherical acetabular cup (socket); the ball and socket are made of alumina (Al(2)O(3)) and Al(2)O(3)-based composite materials. In the present study, total hip bearings were made from a different ceramic material, silicon nitride (Si(3)N(4)), by sintering and hot isostatic pressing of powders. The resulting material had improved mechanical properties over modern Al(2)O(3) THA bearings, with a flexural strength of 920 +/- 70 MPa, a Weibull modulus of 19, and a fracture toughness of 10 +/- 1 MPa m(1/2). Unlike zirconia-based ceramics that have also been used in THA, accelerated aging of Si(3)N(4) did not adversely affect the flexural strength. In simulated wear tests, Si(3)N(4) acetabular cups produced low-volumetric wear whether articulating against Si(3)N(4) or cobalt-chromium (CoCr) femoral heads. The results of this investigation suggest that Si(3)N(4) may allow improved THA bearings that combine the reliability of metal femoral heads with the low wear advantages of ceramic materials.     

Electrical stimulation of bone growth into porous A12O3.

Porous, cylindrical, high alumina, ceramic structures were fabricated for implantation in the superior third of canine femoral medullary canals. Implant durations of one, two, four, and eight weeks using three animals per time period were studied. A constant current (10 muA) power supply was used to attempt to stimulate bone growth into the porous ceramic structures. Osseous tissue in-growth was evaluated using a mechanical push-out test, microadiography, and histological thin sectioning. The interfacial shear strength and tissue micro-structure was studied as a function of implant residence site and implant residence site and implant residence time. The results indicate that initially the proximal implants have a higher interfacial shear strength, however, after eight weeks of implantation the distal implants have a shear strength about twice that of the proximal implants. This trend is observed for both the electrically stimulated and nonstimulated specimens. The 10 muA current level used in this investigation was found to have a small but significant effect on shear strength increasing it at implantation times of less than eight weeks.     

Mechanical properties of a dental ceramic coated by RF magnetron sputtering

Metal and ceramic thin film coatings were deposited onto a dental ceramic via radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering. The objectives of the study were to determine if a coherent interface could be produced between the coating and the substrate and if the coating significantly would improve the mechanical properties of the ceramic. Thin films of Au, Al, and AlN were deposited in this study. Mechanical testing results indicated that a significant improvement in flexural strength was observed with both Au and Al coatings while significant improvements in the flexural modulus were observed with all three materials. SEM analysis indicated that the interfaces were coherent and also suggested two mechanisms (crack bridging and crack blunting) that could be responsible for the enhanced mechanical properties.     

The fabrication and biochemical evaluation of alumina reinforced calcium phosphate porous implants

Alumina reinforced calcium phosphate porous implants were manufactured to improve the mechanical strength while maintaining the bioactivity of calcium phosphate ceramics. The alumina porous bodies, which provided the mechanical strength, were fabricated by a polyurethane sponge method and multiple coating techniques resulted in the porous bodies with a 90-75% porosity and a compressive strength of up to approximately 6MPa. The coating of hydroxyapatite (HAp) or tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) was performed by dipping the alumina porous bodies into calcium phosphate ceramic slurries and sintering the specimens. The fairly strong bonding between the HAp or TCP coating layer and the alumina substrate was obtained by repeating the coating and sintering processes. The biochemical evaluations of the porous implants were conducted by in vitro and in vivo tests. For in vitro test, the implants were immersed in Ringer's solution and the release of Ca and P ions were detected and compared with those of calcium phosphate powders. For in vivo test, the porous bodies were implanted into mixed breed dogs and bone mineral density measurements and histological studies were conducted. The alumina reinforced HAp porous implants had a higher strength than the HAp porous implants and exhibited a similar bioactivity and osteoconduction property to the HAp porous implants.