Effect of Sintering Temperatures on the Translucency of Dental 3Y-TZP Ceramic

Dense 3Y-TZP ceramics were obtained by pressureless sintering at 1350, 1400, 1450, 1500 and 1550 degrees C. The visible light transmittance was measured by spectrophotometers. The relative density of resultant specimens was determined by Archimedes' method and their microstructure and morphology were observed using field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM). Grain sizes were calculated using alinear intercept method. The results show that the relative density, average grain size and transluceny of 3Y-TZP ceramic increase with sintering temperature increasing from 1350 degrees C to 1500 degrees C. Whereas, the presence of cubic phase and the segregation of Y(3+)ions at grain boundaries result in a reduction of translucency at 1550 degrees C.