Effect of low-temperature aging on the mechanical behavior of ground Y-TZP

This study evaluated the effects of low-temperature aging on the surface topography, phase transformation, biaxial flexural strength, and structural reliability of a ground Y-TZP ceramic. Disc-shaped specimens were manufactured and divided according to two factors: “grinding” – without grinding (as-sintered, Ctrl), grinding with an extra-fine diamond bur (25 µm Xfine) and coarse diamond bur (181 µm Coarse); and “low-temperature-aging” (absence or presence). Grinding was performed using a contra-angle handpiece under water-cooling. Aging was performed in an autoclave at 134 °C, under 2 bar, over a period of 20 h. Surface topography analysis showed an increase in roughness based on grit-size (Coarse>Xfine>Ctrl), and aging promoted different effects on roughness (Ctrl AgCoarse). Grinding and aging promoted an increase in the amount of m-phase, although different susceptibilities to degradation were observed. Weibull analysis showed an increase in characteristic strength after grinding (Coarse=Xfine>Ctrl); however, distinct effects were observed for aging (CtrlCoarse Ag). Weibull moduli were statistically similar. Grinding promoted an increase in characteristic strength as a result of an increase in m-phase content; when the Y-TZP surface was ground by coarse diamond burs followed by aging, characteristic strength was reduced, meaning the low-temperature degradation appeared to intensify for rougher Y-TZP surfaces.