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PURPOSE Microstructural and physico-mechanical characterization of highly translucent zirconia, prepared by milling technology (CAD-CAM) and repeated firing cycles, was the main aim of this in vitro study. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two groups of samples of two commercial highly-translucent yttria-stabilized dental zirconia, VITA YZ-HT White (Group A) and Zolid HT + White (Group B), with dimensions according to the ISO 6872 “Dentistry - Ceramic materials”, were prepared. The specimens of each group were divided into two subgroups. The specimens of the first subgroups (Group A 1 and Group B 1 ) were merely the sintered specimens. The specimens of the second subgroups (Group A 2 and Group B 2 ) were subjected to 4 heat treatment cycles. The microstructural features (microstructure, density, grain size, crystalline phases, and crystallite size) and four mechanical properties (flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, Vickers hardness, and fracture toughness) of the subgroups (i.e. before and after heat treatment) were compared. The statistical significance between the subgroups (A 1 /A 2 , and B 1 /B 2 ) was evaluated by the t-test. In all tests, P values smaller than 5% were considered statistically significant. RESULTS A homogenous microstructure, with no residual porosity and grains sized between 500 and 450 nm for group A and B, respectively, was observed. Crystalline yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia was exclusively registered in the X-ray diffractograms. The mechanical properties decreased after the heat treatment procedure, but the differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION The produced zirconia ceramic materials can be safely (i.e., according to the ISO 6872) used in extensive fixed prosthetic restorations, such as substructure ceramics for three-unit prostheses involving the molar restoration and substructure ceramics for prostheses involving four or more units. Consequently, milling technology is an effective manufacturing technology for producing zirconia substructures for dental fixed all-ceramic prosthetic restorations.

Hypereutectic Al-Co alloys of various Co contents (7-20 weight % (wt.%) Co) were prepared by vacuum arc melting, aiming at investigating the influence of the cobalt content on the microstructure and corrosion behavior. Quite uniform and directional microstructures were attained. The obtained microstructures depended on the Co content, ranging from fully eutectic growth (7 wt.% and 10 wt.% Co) to coarse primary Al 9 Co 2 predominance (20 wt.% Co). Co dissolution in Al far exceeded the negligible equilibrium solubility of Co in Al; however, it was hardly uniform. By increasing the cobalt content, the fraction and coarseness of Al 9 Co 2 , the content of Co dissolved in the Al matrix, and the hardness and porosity of the alloy increased. All alloys exhibited similar corrosion behavior in 3.5 wt.% NaCl with high resistance to localized corrosion. Al-7 wt.% Co showed slightly superior corrosion resistance than the other compositions in terms of relatively low corrosion rate, relatively low passivation current density and scarcity of stress corrosion cracking indications. All Al-Co compositions demonstrated substantially higher resistance to localized corrosion than commercially pure Al produced by casting, cold rolling and arc melting. A corrosion mechanism was formulated. Surface films were identified.

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The scope of the research work is the production and characterization of Al matrix composites reinforced with WC ceramic nanoparticles. The synthesis process was powder metallurgy. The produced composites were examined as far as their microstructure and mechanical properties (resistance to wear, micro/macrohardness). Intermetallic phases (Al 12 W and Al 2 Cu) were identified in the microstrucutre. Al 4 C 3 was not detected in the composites. Adding more than 5 wt% WC to the aluminum, microhardness and wear resistance exceed the values of Al alloy. Composites having weak interface bond performed the highest wear rate.