Radial fretting behaviours of dental ceramics

Radial fretting tests on a Si3N4 ceramics ball opposite to the two dental ceramics flats (Vita VMK95 and Cerec Vita Mark II) have been carried out. The test apparatus was developed from a tension-compression hydraulic machine. Maximum normal load (Fmax) was varied from 100 to 800 N with a speed of 6 mm/min, and the number of cycles from 1 to 105. The fretting scars were examined by optical microscope and laser confocal scanning microscope (LCSM). The results of kinetics behaviours showed that all loading and unloading curves of load (F)–displacement (D) curves were almost superposed in the whole fretting process for two dental ceramics under a lower normal load ( F max = 100 N ), and all F–D curves opened, correspondingly some micro-cracks initiated and developed in contact area, when the normal load increased to a higher level ( F max ⩾ 200 N ). Under lower normal load, the fretting scars displayed the worn zones in shape of annulus. The cracks in shape of homocentric circularity can be observed for Vita VMK95 at F max = 200 N and for Cerec Vita Mark II at F max = 800 N . Therefore, there is better radial fretting damage resistance for Cerec Vita Mark II. In the microslip zone, the microscopic analysis showed that the particles detached by the mechanism of delamination. It the meantime, the competing mechanisms of fatigue cracks and wear also were discussed in this paper.