title: [Investigation of aluminum oxide matrix of the machinable infiltrated ceramic(MIC)].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: College of Stomatology, West China University of Medical Sciences.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Xian
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chai
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xue
mesh_terms: D000537:Aluminum Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D003776:Dental Porcelain / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011208:Powders; D012996:Solutions
chemical_list: D011208:Powders; D012996:Solutions; D003776:Dental Porcelain; D000537:Aluminum Oxide