Search Results (7)

In this work, the debonding behavior under quasi-static Mode I fracture loading of adhesive joints made on two types of composite materials with the same epoxy matrix and unidirectional carbon or glass fiber reinforcement was analyzed. Standard DCB tests were used to quantify the influence of adhesive type and substrate surface preparation on interlaminar fracture toughness. For the fabrication of the joints under study, three commercial structural adhesives from different manufacturers were selected, two epoxy-based and one acrylic-based. Substrate surface preparation was carried out using three different procedures: manual abrasion, sanding with P220 Al₂O₃ sandpaper, grit blasting with Al₂O₃, and peel ply PA80 polyamide fabric. The experimental results revealed the same trend for both epoxy-based adhesives: sanding provided the best results, regardless of the substrate used. Surface preparation by grit blasting proved highly sensitive to the applied parameters, generally yielding poorer results than manual sanding. Surface preparation using PA80 peel ply fabric may be a viable option. However, its main drawback is that it must be incorporated during composite manufacturing. The results demonstrate that fracture performance is governed by the interaction between adhesive chemistry and surface morphology rather than by surface roughness alone. Full article

Background: Traditional sandblasted large-grit acid-etched (SLA) surface treatments frequently utilize alumina (Al₂O₃) blasting, which may leave residual particles embedded in implant surfaces, potentially compromising biocompatibility and osseointegration. This study investigates a contamination-free alternative: titanium dioxide particle (TiO₂) blasting followed by hydrochloric acid (HCl) etching, aimed at generating a cleaner, hierarchical micro–nano-textured surface. Methods: Grade IV titanium disks were treated either with TiO₂ sandblasting alone or with an additional HCl etching step. Surfaces were analyzed via atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angle measurements, and profilometry. hFOB osteoblasts were cultured to assess adhesion, proliferation, metabolic activity, and morphology. Results: The combination treatment produced a more homogeneous micro–nano structure with significantly increased roughness and a cleaner surface chemistry. Osteoblast proliferation and metabolic activity were notably improved in the TiO₂ and HCl group. SEM imaging showed a more organized cytoskeletal structure and pronounced filopodia at 72 h. Conclusions: Titanium blasting combined with HCl etching yields a cost-effective, contamination-free surface modification with promising early-stage cellular responses. This approach represents a safer and effective alternative to conventional SLA treatment. Full article

Objective: To determine the effect of grit-blasting before and after sintering on the surface roughness of zirconia and the micro-tensile bond strength of a pressable veneering ceramic to zirconia. Methods: Pre-sintered zirconia blocks (IPS e.max ZirCAD, Ivoclar) were divided into four test groups of three specimens each and a control group (‘CTR’; no surface treatment). Pre-S-30, Pre-S-50, and Pre-S-110 were grit-blasted with 30-µm SiO₂-coated Al₂O₃, 50-µm Al₂O₃ and 110-µm Al₂O₃ particles, respectively, before sintering. Post-S-30 was grit-blasted with 30-µm SiO₂-coated Al₂O₃ after sintering. For each treatment, the surface roughness was measured (Ra, Perthometer M4P, Mahr Perthen). After sintering the zirconia blocks, a liner was applied and a pressable ceramic (IPS e.max ZirPress, Ivoclar) was heat-pressed. Sixteen microbars were obtained from each block and submitted to micro-tensile bond-strength (µTBS) testing. Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA. Any correlation between Ra and µTBS was evaluated (Sperman test). Results: Grit-blasting before sintering with 110-µm Al₂O₃ (Ra_Pre-S-110 = 3.4 ± 0.4 µm), 50-µm Al₂O₃ (Ra_Pre-S-50 = 2.3 ± 0.5 µm), and 30-µm SiO₂-coated Al₂O₃ (Ra_Pre-S-30 = 1.2 ± 0.2 µm) resulted in significantly higher roughness than grit-blasting after sintering with 30-µm SiO₂-coated Al₂O₃ (Ra_Post-S-30 = 0.5 ± 0.1 µm). The highest µTBS was measured when the sintered zirconia was grit-blasted with 30-μm SiO₂-coated Al₂O₃ (µTBS_Post-S-30 = 28.5 ± 12.6 MPa), which was significantly different from that of specimens that were grit-blasted before sintering (µTBS_Pre-S-30 = 21.8 ± 10.4; µTBS_Pre-S-50 = 24.1 ± 12.6; µTBS_Pre-S-110 = 26.4 ± 14.1) or were not grit-blasted (µTBS_CTR = 20.2 ± 11.2). Conclusions: Grit-blasting zirconia before sintering enhanced the surface roughness proportionally to the particle size of the sand used. Grit-blasting with 30-µm SiO₂-coated Al₂O₃ after sintering improved bonding of the veneering ceramic to zirconia. Clinical Significance: As grit-blasting with 30-µm SiO₂-coated Al₂O₃ after sintering improved bonding of the veneering ceramic to zirconia, it may reduce veneering ceramic fractures/chipping. Full article

For the improvement of surface roughness, titanium joint arthroplasty (TJA) components are grit-blasted with Al₂O₃ (corundum) particles during manufacturing. There is an acute concern, particularly with uncemented implants, about polymeric, metallic, and corundum debris generation and accumulation in TJA, and its association with osteolysis and implant loosening. The surface morphology, chemistry, phase analysis, and surface chemistry of retrieved and new Al₂O₃ grit-blasted titanium alloy were determined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and confocal laser fluorescence microscopy, respectively. Peri-prosthetic soft tissue was studied with histopathology. Blasted retrieved and new stems were exposed to human mesenchymal stromal stem cells (BMSCs) for 7 days to test biocompatibility and cytotoxicity. We found metallic particles in the peri-prosthetic soft tissue. Ti6Al7Nb with the residual Al₂O₃ particles exhibited a low cytotoxic effect while polished titanium and ceramic disks exhibited no cytotoxic effect. None of the tested materials caused cell death or even a zone of inhibition. Our results indicate a possible biological effect of the blasting debris; however, we found no significant toxicity with these materials. Further studies on the optimal size and properties of the blasting particles are indicated for minimizing their adverse biological effects. Full article

An aging global population is accelerating the need for better, longer-lasting orthopaedic and dental implants. Additive manufacturing can provide patient-specific, titanium-alloy-based implants with tailored, three-dimensional, bone-like architecture. Studies using two-dimensional substrates have demonstrated that osteoblastic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) is enhanced on surfaces possessing hierarchical macro/micro/nano-scale roughness that mimics the topography of osteoclast resorption pits on the bone surface. Conventional machined implants with these surfaces exhibit successful osseointegration, but the complex architectures produced by 3D printing make consistent nanoscale surface texturing difficult to achieve, and current line-of-sight methods used to roughen titanium alloy surfaces cannot reach all internal surfaces. Here, we demonstrate a new, non-line-of-sight, gas/solid-reaction-based process capable of generating well-controlled nanotopographies on all open (gas-exposed) surfaces of titanium alloy implants. Dense 3D-printed titanium-aluminum-vanadium (TiAl6V4) substrates were used to evaluate the evolution of surface nanostructure for development of this process. Substrates were either polished to be smooth (for easier evaluation of surface nanostructure evolution) or grit-blasted and acid-etched to present a microrough biomimetic topography. An ultrathin (90 ± 16 nm) conformal, titania-based surface layer was first formed by thermal oxidation (600 °C, 6 h, air). A calciothermic reduction (CaR) reaction (700 °C, 1 h) was then used to convert the surface titania (TiO₂) into thin layers of calcia (CaO, 77 ± 16 nm) and titanium (Ti, 51 ± 20 nm). Selective dissolution of the CaO layer (3 M acetic acid, 40 min) then yielded a thin nanoporous/nanorough Ti-based surface layer. The changes in surface nanostructure/chemistry after each step were confirmed by scanning and transmission electron microscopies with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray diffraction, selected area electron diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and mass change analyses. In vitro studies indicated that human MSCs on CaR-modified microrough surfaces exhibited increased protein expression associated with osteoblast differentiation and promoted osteogenesis compared to unmodified microrough surfaces (increases of 387% in osteopontin, 210% in osteocalcin, 282% in bone morphogenic protein 2, 150% in bone morphogenic protein 4, 265% in osteoprotegerin, and 191% in vascular endothelial growth factor). This work suggests that this CaR-based technique can provide biomimetic topography on all biologically facing surfaces of complex, porous, additively manufactured TiAl6V4 implants. Full article

Objective: This study aimed to investigate and compare the effect of various surface treatments on the micromorphology and the roughness of four CAD/CAM lithium silicate-based glass-ceramics (LSGC). Method: Eighty specimens of four LDGC materials (IPS e. max^® CAD (Ivoclar-Vivadent, Liechtenstein, Schaan), Vita Suprinity^® (Vita Zahnfabrik, Bad Säckingen, Germany), Celtra Duo^® (Dentsply, Hanau-Wolfgang, Germany) and n!ce (Straumann, Basel, Switzerland)) were used for this study. All specimens were highly polished with 400, 600, 1200 grit silicon carbide paper and then polished with 3 µm and 1 µm polycrystalline diamond suspension liquid with grinding devices. Each group of ceramic was assigned to one of the following three surface treatments (1) sand-blasting (SB) with 50 µm Al₂O₃ at 70 psi for 10s, (2) hydrofluoric acid etching (HF) with 5% hydrofluoric acid, according to the manufacturer instructions, (3) and a combination of sand-blasting and hydrofluoric acid (SB + HF). All specimens were cleaned with ethanol for 2 min and placed in an ultrasonic unit with distilled water for 15 min. The microstructure was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The surface roughness and topography were evaluated with atomic force microscopy in tapping mode (AFM). Statistical analysis was done using two-way ANOVA and Tukey tests (α = 5%). Results: All surface treatments had a significant effect on LDGC surface roughness compared to the untreated surface (p < 0.05). The sand-blasting treatment had a significantly higher mean surface roughness value for Vita Suprinity and Celtra Duo compared to other surface treatments (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference for surface roughness between sand-blasting and sand-blasting + etching for e.max CAD and n!ce. The hydrofluoric acid produced less surface roughness compared to other surface treatments but was able to change the surface structure. (5) Conclusions: The sand-blasting + etching treatment could be a sufficient method to produce surface roughness for all LSGC types. Full article

We performed biological safety evaluation tests of three Ti–Zr alloys under accelerated extraction condition. We also conducted histopathological analysis of long-term implantation of pure V, Al, Ni, Zr, Nb, and Ta metals as well as Ni–Ti and high-V-containing Ti–15V–3Al–3Sn alloys in rats. The effect of the dental implant (screw) shape on morphometrical parameters was investigated using rabbits. Moreover, we examined the maximum pullout properties of grit-blasted Ti–Zr alloys after their implantation in rabbits. The biological safety evaluation tests of three Ti–Zr alloys (Ti–15Zr–4Nb, Ti–15Zr–4Nb–1Ta, and Ti–15Zr–4Nb–4Ta) showed no adverse (negative) effects of either normal or accelerated extraction. No bone was formed around the pure V and Ni implants. The Al, Zr, Nb, and Ni–Ti implants were surrounded by new bone. The new bone formed around Ti–Ni and high-V-containing Ti alloys tended to be thinner than that formed around Ti–Zr and Ti–6Al–4V alloys. The rate of bone formation on the threaded portion in the Ti–15Zr–4Nb–4Ta dental implant was the same as that on a smooth surface. The maximum pullout loads of the grit- and shot-blasted Ti–Zr alloys increased linearly with implantation period in rabbits. The pullout load of grit-blasted Ti–Zr alloy rods was higher than that of shot-blasted ones. The surface roughness (Ra) and area ratio of residual Al₂O₃ particles of the Ti–15Zr–4Nb alloy surface grit-blasted with Al₂O₃ particles were the same as those of the grit-blasted Alloclassic stem surface. It was clarified that the grit-blasted Ti–15Zr–4Nb alloy could be used for artificial hip joint stems. Full article