Effect of different surface treatments on In-Ceram Alumina roughness. An AFM study

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different treatments on the surface roughness of in-Ceram Alumina (VITA, Sackingen, Germany). Methods: The ceramic blocks were polished (4000 grit) and sandblasted (SB) with airborne particle abrasion Al2O3; 110 mu m particle size; 2.8 bar; 20 s. The following treatments were performed: (1) no treatment; (2) Rocatec System (RC): after SB treatment, sandblasting with silica powder; 30 mu m particle size; 2.8 bar; 20 s. (3) Neodymium:yttrium-aluminium-gamet (Nd:YAG) laser (ND) application of graphite powder (stain) on the ceramic surface and Nd:YAG laser irradiation (distance: 1 mm, 100 mJ, 20 Hz, 2 W, and 141.54 J/cm(2)). (4) Nd:YAG laser plus Rocatec System: after ND treatments, RC was applied. Digital images (20 mu m x 20 mu m) from the surfaces were obtained by means of an AFM microscope in taping mode (Nanoscope IIIa, Digital Instruments). Roughness was measured in 10 mu m x 10 mu m boxes. Roughness (R-a) data (nm) were analyzed by one-way ANOVA (p < 0.05). Results: No differences in ceramic surfaces roughness occurred after any of the tested treatments (p = 0.54). Conclusions: High-alumina ceramic surface roughness was not increased with any of the tested treatments. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.