Effects of loading rate on the deformation and cracking of dental multilayers: Experiments and models

The paper presents the results of combined experimental, analytical, and computational studies of contact-induced deformation and cracking in dental multilayers. These include studies of individual layers and composite structures that consist of tri-layers of glass bonded to ceramic-filled polymer foundation with an acrylate-based join material. Loading-rate-dependent Young's moduli of the join and foundation materials were obtained from monotonic compression tests. Critical loads were also determined for the tri-layers from Hertzian contact tests at different loading rates. The fracture onset (sub-surface radial cracking) was detected using an in situ telescope. The measured rate-dependent Young's moduli were then incorporated into a finite element model that was used to predict the rate-dependent critical loads in the tri-layer system. Finally, the paper shows that the observed loading rate-dependence of the critical load (for radial cracking) is due to the combined effects of slow crack growth in glass and rate-dependent Young's moduli in the join and foundation layers.