Objective

To determine the mechanical and surface characteristics of two novel biomimetic interpenetrating phase alumina-polycarbonate (Al₂O₃-PC) composite materials, comprising aligned honeycomb-like porous ceramic preforms infiltrated with polycarbonate polymer.

Method

Two composite materials were produced and characterised. Each comprised a porous structure with a ceramic-rich (polymer-poor) top layer, graduated through to a more porous ceramic-poor (polymer-rich) bottom layer. In addition, pure polycarbonate and dense alumina specimens were subjected to the same characterisation namely: density, compression, three-point bend, hardness, surface loss and surface roughness testing. Scanning electron microscopy and micro computerised tomography were employed for structural examination.

Results

Three-dimensional aligned honeycomb-like ceramic structures were produced and full interpenetration of the polymer phase was observed using MicroCT. Depending on the ceramic volume in the initial aqueous ceramic suspension, the density of the final interpenetrating composites ranged from 2.64 to 3.01 g/cm³, compressive strength ranged from 192.43 to 274.91 MPa, flexural strength from 105.54 to 148.47 MPa, fracture toughness from 2.17 to 3.11 MPa.m^½, hardness from 0.82 to 1.52 GPa, surface loss from 0.71 to 1.40 μm and surface roughness, following tooth brushing, from 0.70 to 0.99 μm. Composite specimens showed characteristic properties part way between enamel and polycarbonate.

Significance

There was a correlation between the initial solid ceramic loading in the aqueous suspension, used to produce the porous ceramic scaffolds, and the subsequent characteristic properties of the composite materials. These novel composites show potential as aesthetic orthodontic bracket materials, as their properties fit part way between those of ceramic, enamel and polycarbonate.

中文翻译：

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新型仿生互穿氧化铝-聚碳酸酯复合材料的力学和表面性能表征

目的

为了确定两种新型仿生互穿相氧化铝-聚碳酸酯（Al ₂ O ₃ -PC）复合材料的机械和表面特性，该复合材料包括浸渗有聚碳酸酯聚合物的定向蜂窝状多孔陶瓷预成型坯。

方法

生产并表征了两种复合材料。每个组件都包含一个多孔结构，该结构具有一层富含陶瓷的（聚合物贫乏的）顶层，并逐渐过渡到一层更加多孔的缺乏陶瓷的（聚合物贫乏的）底层。此外，对纯聚碳酸酯和致密氧化铝样品进行了相同的表征，即：密度，压缩，三点弯曲，硬度，表面损耗和表面粗糙度测试。使用扫描电子显微镜和计算机断层扫描进行结构检查。

结果

产生了三维排列的蜂窝状陶瓷结构，并使用MicroCT观察到聚合物相完全互穿。取决于初始水性陶瓷悬浮液中的陶瓷体积，最终互穿复合材料的密度为2.64至3.01 g / cm ³，抗压强度为192.43至274.91 MPa，抗弯强度为105.54至148.47 MPa，断裂韧性为2.17到3.11 MPa.m ^½，硬度从0.82至1.52 GPA，表面损耗从0.71到1.40微米，表面粗糙度，刷牙之后，从0.70至0.99微米。复合样品在搪瓷和聚碳酸酯之间显示出部分特性。

意义

在用于生产多孔陶瓷支架的水性悬浮液中的初始固体陶瓷负载与复合材料的后续特性之间存在相关性。这些新颖的复合材料具有潜力，可作为美学正畸托槽材料，因为它们的性能介于陶瓷，搪瓷和聚碳酸酯之间。