Effect of different surface treatments on In-Ceram Alumina roughness. An AFM study

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different treatments on the surface roughness of In-Ceram Alumina (VITA, Säckingen, Germany).MethodsThe ceramic blocks were polished (4000 grit) and sandblasted (SB) with airborne particle abrasion Al2O3; 110 μm particle size; 2.8 bar; 20 s. The following treatments were performed: (1) no treatment; (2) Rocatec System (RC): after SB treatment, sandblasting with silica powder; 30 μm particle size; 2.8 bar; 20 s. (3) Neodymium:yttrium–aluminium–garnet (Nd:YAG) laser (ND) application of graphite powder (stain) on the ceramic surface and Nd:YAG laser irradiation (distance: 1 mm, 100 mJ, 20 Hz, 2 W, and 141.54 J/cm2). (4) Nd:YAG laser plus Rocatec System: after ND treatments, RC was applied. Digital images (20 μm × 20 μm) from the surfaces were obtained by means of an AFM microscope in taping mode (Nanoscope IIIa, Digital Instruments). Roughness was measured in 10 μm × 10 μm boxes. Roughness (Ra) data (nm) were analyzed by one-way ANOVA (p < 0.05).ResultsNo differences in ceramic surfaces roughness occurred after any of the tested treatments (p = 0.54).ConclusionsHigh-alumina ceramic surface roughness was not increased with any of the tested treatments.