Mechanical properties and wear behaviors analysis of fluorapatite glass-ceramics based on stereolithography 3D printing

Stereolithography (SL) 3D printing of ceramic materials is a promising forming technology to prepare denture with complex shape in the dental field. But the SL formed parts often have inferior mechanical properties than traditional forming method, and the debinding process is time assuming, limiting the clinical application of the technology. In this paper, a novel fluorapatite (FAp) glass-ceramics samples were fabricated through SL 3D printing based on self-made glass-ceramic powders. The effect of laser power and scanning speed on mechanical properties and tribological properties of FAp glass-ceramics were investigated. Phase compositions and microstructure of specimens were characterized by X-ray diffractometer and scanning electron microscope. The microhardness, flexural strength, elastic modulus and tribological performances of the SL samples were tested and compared with that of traditional dry pressing formed samples. The results showed that with the appropriate laser parameters and a relatively short debinding time, the SL formed glass-ceramics had microhardness, flexural strength, and elastic modulus of 772.05 Hv, 205.97 MPa, and 97.06 GPa, respectively, which exceeded that of traditional formed samples. The results reveal that it is possible to efficiently obtain FAp glass-ceramics with excellent mechanical and tribological performance by SL 3D printing process with appropriate parameters.