Fabrication of polymer infiltrated zirconia ceramic composite materials

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the microstructure of polymer infiltrated zirconia ceramics. Zpex smile from Tosoh company was used as a starting material. Sintered zirconia ceramics blocks were made through mold pressing. Then, the blocks were treated with the isostatic cool pressing method. To improve the mechanical properties, the sintering program at 1250 degrees C was used for all samples. Polymer-infiltrated zirconia ceramics were prepared by liquid monomer to infiltrate the porous zirconia ceramic networks before being polymerized. Subsequently, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the microstructure of the ceramic surface. Sintered zirconia ceramics blocks were successfully infiltrated with monomer. Mechanical properties can be improved due to a good combination of ceramic and monomer.