Preparation of glass-infiltrated 3Y-TZP/Al2O3/glass composites

3Y-TZP/Al2O3/glass composites that contain Al2O3 were investigated to make all-ceramic dental porcelain with low shrinkage and good mechanical properties via a melt-infiltration process. 3Y-TZP/Al2O3 matrixes with densities ranging from 60% to 70% of theoretical were formed after partially sintering. The matrix was infiltrated with a lanthanum borosilicate glass at 1200 degreesC for 4 It three times. The dimensional change of composites is dependent on the Al2O3 content. The shrinkage of composites decreases with the Al2O3 content. During the infiltrating, zirconia's phase transformation was found. Bending strength and fracture toughness of glass-infiltrated composites are 449.6 MPa and 5.9 MPa m(1/2), respectively, and are relatively sensitive to the volume fraction of Al2O3 and partially sintering temperature. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.