Effect of nonthermal argon plasma treatment on the surface properties and phase transformation of zirconia


Etibarlı N., ÜSTÜN Ö., AKAN T.

Journal of oral science, vol.65, no.2, pp.136-140, 2023 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 65 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.2334/josnusd.22-0420
  • Journal Name: Journal of oral science
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE
  • Page Numbers: pp.136-140
  • Keywords: nonthermal argon plasma, phase transformation, surface roughness, Y-TZP zirconia
  • Eskisehir Osmangazi University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate the effect of applying different parameters of nonthermal argon plasma (NTAP) on the surface roughness and phase transformation of yttrium-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystalline (Y-TZP) ceramics. METHODS: A total of 60 zirconia samples were prepared and randomly divided into six groups according to their surface treatments (n = 10). Group 1: control group; Group 2: argon plasma with a flow rate of 5 lt/min for 4 min; Group 3: 8 lt/min for 4 min; Group 4: 8 lt/min for 2 min; Group 5: 5 l/min for 2 min; Group 6: air abrasion with Al2O3 particle. The surface roughness was measured with a profilometer, and surface topography was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was performed to investigate the phase transformation. RESULTS: The air abrasion group showed the highest surface roughness. The lowest relative monoclinic phase amount (Xm) was observed in the control group (0.4%), and the highest Xm value was observed in group 6 (7.8%). CONCLUSION: While the air abrasion group showed the highest average surface roughness, it also caused the highest phase transformation. With a flow rate of 8 lt/min for 2 min NTAP treatment increased the surface roughness without causing significant phase transformation.