Friction and wear behavior of bioinspired composites with nacre-like lamellar and brick-and-mortar architectures against human enamel. (20th November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gao, Kefeng; Guan, Jianjun; Sun, Hui; Han, Chengwei; Tan, Guoqi; Liu, Zengqian; Wang, Qiang; Zhang, Zhefeng
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials science & technology. Volume 128(2022)
• Page Start: 133
• Page End: 141
• Publication Date: 2022-11-20
• Subjects: Bioinspired materials -- Nacre-like structures -- Friction -- Wear mechanisms -- Orientation; Metals -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; Materials science; Metals; Periodicals; 620.1105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2022.04.027
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1005-0302

Abstract

Highlights: The nacre-like composites resemble human tooth in hardness and stiffness. Quantification of tooth wear was realized using standardized testing method. Wear behavior and mechanisms depend on the architectural types and orientations. The brick-and-mortar architecture does not cause obvious wear to human enamel. Such attribute makes the composites more appealing for dental applications. Abstract: Friction and wear performance is critical for dental materials which are inevitably subject to reciprocating friction against opposing teeth in applications. Here in-vitro friction and wear behavior of bioinspired ceramic-polymer composites, which possess nacre-like lamellar and brick-and-mortar architectures and resemble human teeth in their stiffness and hardness, against human tooth enamel were quantitatively investigated to imitate actual service conditions in line with standardized testing configuration. The composites were revealed to exhibit different wear mechanisms and lead to differing extents of wear to the opposing tooth enamel depending on their specific architectural types and orientations. In particular, the brick-and-mortar architecture displayed much less wear than the lamellar one, without obviously roughening the contact surfaces with enamel owing to its high ceramic content, and as such did not accelerate the wear of enamel as compared to smooth ceramics. Such characteristics, combined with its unique stiffness and hardness matching those of human enamel as well as the good fracture toughness and machinability, endow the composite with a promising potential for dental applications. This work may provide an experimental basis to this end and may also give insights towards designing new bioinspired wear-resistant materials for reducing friction and wear.