This study discusses a quantitative fatigue evaluation of polymer–ceramic composites for dental restorations, i.e., commercial material (Filtek Z550) and experimental materials Ex-nano (G), Ex-flow (G). Their evaluation is based on the following descriptors: microhardness, scratch resistance, and sliding wear. In order to reflect factors of environmental degradation conditions, thermal fatigue was simulated with a special computer-controlled device performing algorithms of thermocycling. Specimens intended for the surface strength and wear tests underwent 104 hydrothermal fatigue cycles. Thermocycling was preceded by aging, which meant immersing the specimens in artificial saliva at 37 °C for 30 days. Microhardness tests were performed with the Vickers hardness test method. The scratch test was done with a Rockwell diamond cone indenter. Sliding ball-on-disc friction tests were performed against an alumina ball in the presence of artificial saliva. A direct positive correlation was found between thermocycling fatigue and microhardness. The dominant mechanism of the wear of the experimental composites after thermocycling is the removal of fragments of the materials in the form of flakes from the friction surface (spalling). Hydrothermal fatigue is synergistic with mechanical fatigue.

This paper discusses the problem of thermocycling effect of light-curing polymer–ceramic composites. Cyclic thermal shocks were simulated in laboratory conditions. As a rule, these loads were supposed to reproduce the actual conditions of biomaterials exploitation. Periodically variable stresses occurring in dental restorations are associated with the wear of cold and hot foods and beverages. They lead to changes in the properties of composites, including the properties of the surface layer. The aim of the work was to assess the impact of cyclic hydrothermal interactions on the properties of the surface layer of composites relevant to the operational quality. Two commercial materials manufactured by the world’s leading producer (3M ESPE)—Filtek Z550, Filtek Flow and two experimental, micro-hybrid and flow type composites marked Ex-mhyb(P) and Ex-flow(P), respectively. All tests were carried out before and after hydro-thermal cycles (flowing water thermocycling). Micro-hardness test using the Vickers method, indentation hardness, and resistance to tribological wear in a ball–disc system in sliding friction conditions were performed. In addition, observations of the surface layer of composites on the SEM (scanning electron microscope) were carried out. It was noticed that semi-liquid composites, containing a smaller amount of filler, retain higher stability of mechanical and tribological properties of the surface layer under cyclic hydro-thermal loads. Coefficient of friction of samples after hydro-thermal cycles increased for micro-hybrid materials and Filtek Flow (FFlow) composite. In the case of Ex-flow(P) material, the coefficient of friction decreased. The microhardness of composites also changed, the variability of this size depended on the type of material. Composites with a higher content of filler particles were characterized by greater variability of microhardness under the influence of thermocycles. The resistance to tribological wear also changed in a similar way. Composites containing higher volume fraction of inorganic filler showed higher tribological wear after thermocycling. The wear resistance of flow composites changed to a lesser extent, after thermocycling increased. The paper also showed that, in real kinematic nodes, the surface layer of light-curing ceramic–polymer composites is exposed to significant non-tribological (erosive, thermal, and chemical) defects that synergize with tribological ones. In slip pairs loaded dynamically, under mixed friction conditions, tribological wear of PMCCs (polymer matrix ceramic composites) is manifested by spalling (spalling of the material flakes, in particular the polymer phase) and pitting (crushing wear caused by wear products, in particular large filler particles or clusters, previously adhesively extracted).

This study discusses a quantitative fatigue evaluation of polymer–ceramic composites for dental restorations, i.e., commercial (Filtek Z550) and experimental Ex-nano (G), Ex-flow (G). Their evaluation is based on the following descriptors: mechanical strength, elastic modulus and strain work to fracture. Supposed to reflect factors of environmental degradation conditions, thermal fatigue was simulated with a special computer-controlled device performing algorithms of thermocycling. The specimens intended for the strength test underwent 104 hydro-thermal fatigue cycles. This procedure of thermocycling was preceded by aging, which meant immersing the specimens in artificial saliva at 37 °C for 30 days. The strength tests after aging only and after aging and thermocycles were performed in line with the three-point flexural strength (TFS) test, specified in ISO 4049, and the biaxial flexural strength (BFS) test, specifically piston-on-three-ball in accordance with ISO 6872. Based on the results, it can be stated that composites with higher volume content of inorganic particles after aging only show higher strength than materials with lower filler particle content. For example, the average flexural bending strength of the Ex-flow (G) composite was about 45% lower than the value obtained for the Ex-nano (G) material. The residual strength after thermocycles is significantly lower for the experimental composites, whereas a smaller decrease in strength is recorded for the commercial composites. Decreases in strength were about 4% (Filtek Z550), 43% (Ex-nano (G)), and 29% (Ex-flow (G)) for the BFS test; and about 17% (Filtek Z550), 55% (Ex-nano (G)), 60% (Ex-flow (G)) for the TFS test. The elastic modulus of the experimental composites after only aging is higher (about 42%) than that of the commercial composite, but the elastic modulus of the commercial composite increases significantly after thermocycling. A descriptor known as strain work to fracture turns out to be a good descriptor for evaluating the hydro-thermal fatigue of the tested polymer–ceramic composites.

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Optofluidics is increasingly gaining impact in a number of different fields of research, namely biology and medicine, environmental monitoring and green energy. However, the market for optofluidic products is still in the early development phase. In this manuscript, we discuss modular platforms as a potential concept to facilitate the transfer of optofluidic sensing systems to an industrial implementation. We present microfluidic and optical networks as a basis for the interconnection of optofluidic sensor modules. Finally, we show the potential for entire optofluidic networks.