Effects of a silica spin-on interlayer and heating mode on the joining of zirconia and MaCor™

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has been used to assess the role of thin spin-on interlayers and the effects of heating mode, joining temperature, and time on microstructure development in the process of joining zirconia and MaCor™. Sintered polycrystalline partially stabilized zirconia (PSZ) specimens and commercial machinable glass ceramic (MaCor™) have been joined with or without a thin (∼400 nm) amorphous silica interlayer. After joining at different temperatures, times, and with and without the silica interlayer, the interface between zirconia and MaCor™ showed similar interfacial microstructures, with all of the interfaces showing intimate bonding between the zirconia and MaCor™, without any additional interfacial phases. Experiments indicate that joining requires higher nominal temperatures when carried out using conventional heating rather than microwave heating.