Synthesis and properties of dental zirconia–leucite composites

The dental zirconia–leucite composites were synthesized by high temperature solid-state method using potash feldspar, potassium carbonate and zirconia as raw materials. The mechanical properties and the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the prepared zirconia–leucite composites were tested. The results show that the bending strength, the fracture toughness and the metal–ceramic bonding strength of the prepared samples are about 110 MPa, 3·5 MPa/m1/2 and 45 MPa, respectively. The CTE was about 13·73×10–6 °C–1 and close to that of Ni–Cr dental alloy (14·0×10–6 °C–1). The results indicate that the introduction of zirconia is beneficial to the improvement in the mechanical properties and CTE adjustment of porcelain material. The clinical application of the zirconia–leucite composites with good metal–ceramic bonding strength in the dental restoration could be envisioned.