<title>ABSTRACT</title>
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<title>Purpose</title>
Ce-TZP/Al₂O₃ nanocomposite (NANOZR) has not only higher strength, but also higher fracture toughness than conventional Y-TZP. NANOZR is generally machined from densely sintered block. However, it is more efficient to sinter densely after machining partially sintered block, if the mechanical strength of final product is enough. Moreover, as for NANOZR, it has been reported that mechanical strength changes with surface treatments. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of sintering process and surface treatment on biaxial flexure strength and fatigue durability of NANOZR.


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<title>Material and methods</title>
Two kinds of NANOZR specimens were prepared (Pre-sinter and Full-sinter). Pre-sinter and Full-sinter were given machine polish (MP) or shot-blast and fluoric acid etching (SB + HF). Biaxial flexure strength was measured as recommended by ISO 6872. The cyclic loading test of the load equivalent to 480 MPa was performed by the application of a cyclic load in the bending mode at a frequency of 10 Hz, for 10⁶ cycles in distilled water at 37°C.


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<title>Results</title>
Biaxial flexure strength of MP was 1244 ± 43 MPa and 1320 ± 50 MPa in Pre-sinter and Full-sinter, respectively. and it of SB + HF was 1070 ± 60 MPa and 1069 ± 12 MPa in Pre-sinter and Full-sinter, respectively. In the cyclic fatigue test, the durability over the 106 cycle load equivalent to 480 MPa was shown on all the conditions.


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<title>Conclusion</title>
Even if NANOZR was densely sintered after machining partially sintered block, having satisfactory biaxial flexure strength and fatigue durability on clinical application as dental prosthetic material was shown.


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<title>How to cite this article</title>
Takano T, Tasaka A, Yoshinari M, Sakurai K. Flexure Strength and Fatigue Durability of Ce-TZP/Al₂O₃ Nanocomposite with Different Sintering Process and Surface Treatment. Int J Prosthodont Restor Dent 2013;3(3):92-95.


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