Effect of Microstructural Features and Al۲O۳ Doping on Aging Resistance, Mechanical Properties and Crack Propagation in ۳Y-TZP Plate Ceramics for Dental Restorations: A Comprehensive Peridynamics Study

This study investigates the effects of microstructural features, nanoporosity, and micro-cracks on macro-crack propagation in ۳Y-TZP plate ceramics doped with Al۲O۳ (۰ to ۰.۵ wt%) for dental restoration applications, utilizing peridynamics (PD) theory for the first time. The research employs ordinary state-based PD to offer new insights into these interactions. Materials are synthesized through high-energy ball milling of ZrO۲ powders at ۱۵۰۰ °C for ۲ h. Mechanical properties, including density, average porosity diameter, Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, and fracture toughness (KIC), are rigorously assessed. Results indicate that increasing Al۲O۳ content to ۰.۵ wt% enhances relative density, hardness, Young's modulus, KIC, and flexural strength to ۹۹.۵%, ۱۵.۱ GPa, ۲۸۰ GPa, ۹.۹۷ MPa·m۱/۲, and ۳۵۵ MPa, respectively, while low-temperature degradation over ۸۰۰ h shows that Al۲O۳ doping significantly reduces aging kinetics. PD simulations demonstrate that micro-cracks substantially affect crack propagation, revealing a ۱۵% reduction in macro-crack speeds compared to FEM results. This research enhances the understanding of dental ceramics and establishes a foundation for analyzing fractures in dental restoration ceramics using PD.

کلیدواژه ها:

Dental ceramics ، Peridynamics ، Brittle fracture ، Mechanical properties ، Low-temperature degradation (LTD)