[Investigation of aluminum oxide matrix of the machinable infiltrated ceramic(MIC)].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effects of different powder/liquid ratio during the procedure of aluminum oxide slip preparation on the properties and microstructure of the machinable infiltrated ceramic(MIC) aluminum matrice.


METHODS
PI alpha-Al2O3 powder was employed in this study. Aluminum slip with different powder/liquid ratios of 3.5, 4.5, 5.5, 6.5, 7.5, 8.5, 9.5 and 10.5 was prepared separately. Specimens were slip-casted and pre-fired, and whose physical properties were determined and morphology of specimens was examined under scanning electromicroscope.


RESULTS
The packing density increased while the linear shrinkage decreased, when the powder/liquid ratio increased. Elevated pre-firing temperature resulted in higher flexural strength of the matrice. The matrice demonstrated porous morphology under electromicroscope, and neck-fusion between Al2O3 particles was observed and increased with elevated prefiring temperature.


CONCLUSIONS
MIC is a kind of easy-manipulated material with high packing density, optimum porosity and lower linear shrinkage, so it may be an ideal aluminum matrix for infiltrated ceramic.
Yang
H
H
College of Stomatology, West China University of Medical Sciences.
Liao
Y
Y
Xian
S
S
Chai
F
F
Xue
Y
Y
D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D003776:Dental Porcelain / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011208:Powders; D012996:Solutions
D011208:Powders; D012996:Solutions; D003776:Dental Porcelain; D000537:Aluminum Oxide