Biomechanical three-dimensional finite element analysis of monolithic zirconia crown with different cement thickness

Limited information is available on the optimal cement thickness of monolithic zirconia crowns. This study was designed to evaluate the stress distribution in the posterior monolithic zirconia crowns with different cement thicknesses under masticatory force and maximum bite force using three-dimensional finite element analysis. The prepared and unprepared mandibular right first molar models were scanned and exported to the computer-aided design system. Solid models of monolithic zirconia crowns, which were cemented on prepared teeth were generated. Four models were fabricated applying different cement thicknesses (100 µm, 200 µm, 400 µm, and 600 µm). The solid models were imported into the finite element analysis software and meshed into tetrahedral elements. Four three-dimensional finite element models were simulated under masticatory force and maximum bite force: vertical (axial), angular (45°) and horizontal loads of 280 N at 5 points; vertical load of 700 N at 8 points were loaded, respectively. The stress distribution varied with the different cement thicknesses and directions of applied loads. The monolithic zirconia crowns with cement thicknesses exceeding 200 µm had wider distributions of peak maximum principal stress under the same loading conditions. Monolithic zirconia crowns have more stress concentrations on the occlusal surfaces, while the cement layers have more stress concentrations on the cervical areas. Thicker cement layers were associated with more concentrated stresses on the buccal and lingual cervical areas. The test results show that the cement thickness plays an essential role in the success of monolithic zirconia restorations in terms of reducing cement wash-out. Cement thickness of 100 µm is recommended for monolithic zirconia crowns.     

Pressure Combined with Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Induces Deep Tissue Injury via Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in a Rat Pressure Ulcer Model

Pressure ulcer is a complex and significant health problem in long-term bedridden patients, and there is currently no effective treatment or efficient prevention method. Furthermore, the molecular mechanisms and pathogenesis contributing to the deep injury of pressure ulcers are unclear. The aim of the study was to explore the role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and Akt/GSK3β signaling in pressure ulcers. A model of pressure-induced deep tissue injury in adult Sprague-Dawley rats was established. Rats were treated with 2-h compression and subsequent 0.5-h release for various cycles. After recovery, the tissue in the compressed regions was collected for further analysis. The compressed muscle tissues showed clear cellular degenerative features. First, the expression levels of ER stress proteins GRP78, CHOP, and caspase-12 were generally increased compared to those in the control. Phosphorylated Akt and phosphorylated GSK3β were upregulated in the beginning of muscle compression, and immediately significantly decreased at the initiation of ischemia-reperfusion injury in compressed muscles tissue. These data show that ER stress may be involved in the underlying mechanisms of cell degeneration after pressure ulcers and that the Akt/GSK3β signal pathway may play an important role in deep tissue injury induced by pressure and ischemia/reperfusion.     

On the mechanisms of secondary flows in a gas vortex unit

The hydrodynamics of secondary flow phenomena in a disc‐shaped gas vortex unit (GVU) is investigated using experimentally validated numerical simulations. The simulation using ANSYS FLUENT^® v.14a reveals the development of a backflow region along the core of the central gas exhaust, and of a counterflow multivortex region in the bulk of the disc part of the unit. Under the tested conditions, the GVU flow is found to be highly spiraling in nature. Secondary flow phenomena develop as swirl becomes stronger. The backflow region develops first via the swirl‐decay mechanism in the exhaust line. Near‐wall jet formation in the boundary layers near the GVU end‐walls eventually results in flow reversal in the bulk of the unit. When the jets grow stronger the counterflow becomes multivortex. The simulation results are validated with experimental data obtained from Stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry and surface oil visualization measurements. © 2018 The Authors AIChE Journal published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 1859–1873, 2018     

Improvement of thermal shock performance by residual stress field toughening in periclase-hercynite refractories

In this paper, the periclase-hercynite bricks suffered ten cycles of thermal shocks were characterized, and the micro-mechanism of enhancement thermal shock performance for periclase-hercynite refractories was analyzed by using residual stress field theory. Due to the diffusion of Fe²⁺ (or Fe³⁺) and Al³⁺, the composite spinel particles formed inside of magnesia grains in contract with hercynite. When temperature fluctuates, the caused residual stress field and composite spinel particles prevent the extension and propagation of microcracks, enhance fracture toughness, improving of thermal shock stability of magnesia grains. The estimated value of residual stress field and increment of fracture toughness for magnesia grains with composite spinel particles inside by residual stress field toughening model are ?1339.19 MPa and 0.49 MPa m^1/2, respectively. The excellent thermal shock resistance of periclase-hercynite refractories is derived from the improvement of the internal microstructure of large quantities of magnesia grains around the hercynite.     

机械密封覆层密封环端面性能分析

机械密封覆层密封环能够综合利用耐磨覆层与韧性基体材料的优良特性,但其应用主要依靠经验,缺乏针对其性能的研究。利用ANSYS软件建立釜用机械密封动环、静环和静环座组成的热-结构耦合模型,综合考虑覆层端面变形、液膜反压和密封环温度之间的相互作用,并试验验证了分析模型的正确性。分析覆层结构和材料组合对密封端面最大端面比压与速度的乘积（P_bV）_max、最高端面温度T_max,覆层表面最大拉应力σ_max、主界面最大切应力τ_max、侧界面最大切应力σ_cmax和最大法向拉应力τ_cmax的影响,并确定最佳的覆层结构和材料组合。分析结果表明：覆层厚度、覆层与基体的热膨胀系数比和弹性模量比的变化主要影响覆层表面最大拉应力;覆层端面设计中,覆层厚度取值宜在0.4～0.6 mm,喷涂角度宜取15°～30°,覆层与基体的热膨胀系数比宜在0.5以上,弹性模量比宜在2.5以下。     

重沸器壳体开裂原因浅析

利用光学显微镜及扫描电子微镜,从材料成分,性能及微观组织等方面,分析了液化气初分塔塔底重沸器壳体开裂原因。     

Al_2O_3/ZrO_2层状复合陶瓷的结构设计与性能

以ZrO2 为基本组成相的层状材料 ,采用干法成型工艺 ,通过对表面层不同组分Al2 O3+ZrO2 和表面厚度的系统研究和设计 ,提出设计三层结构复合陶瓷层裂参数λ ,当λ小于 1.5时 ,表面层不会出现层裂 ,整体材料性能较好 .研究表明 ,表面残余压应力的存在 ,使得三层结构复合陶瓷较单层结构陶瓷表现出更高的强度、硬度、断裂韧性和其他性质 .45 %Al2 O3/ZrO2 / 45 %Al2 O3层状复合陶瓷的弯曲强度达 682MPa,断裂韧性达 16.2MPa·m1 /2 ;而单层ZrO2 陶瓷的弯曲强度和断裂韧性分别仅为 45 0MPa和 8.8MPa·m1     

EFFECT OF HEATING MODES ON INTERNAL STRAIN-STRESS FORMATION DURING DRYING OF MOLDED CERAMICS

Parametric analyses in drying processes of molded ceramics are performed to investigate the influence of heating modes on the formation of drying-induced strain-stress as well as the drying characteristic. The transient three-dimensional problem of strain-stress and heat and moisture transfer in a slab is solved simultaneously by the finite element method. Three modes of hot air, intermittent and internal heating are compared by modeling in the normalized parameters. The tensile and compressive stresses fluctuate, and fall remarkably during the low Biot number period when the slab is heated intermittently. In the internal heating mode, the drying rate is the fastest but stress formation is maintained at the lowest level among the three modes. This effectiveness of the internal heating is investigated experimentally by employing the microwave heating as well.     

ENERGY DISSIPATION DISTRIBUTION AND MIXING IN A TORUS REACTOR

Previous works devoted to the development of the swirl flow generated by rotation of the marine screw impeller in the loop toroidal reactor show that the flow structure is characterized by the existence of a secondary flow. The deformation of the axial velocity profile, due to the bends curvature and the rotation of the agitator, modify considerably the friction and the transfer near the wall. The objective of this work is to study the toroidal flow and to characterize the wall turbulence. The wall shear stress distribution in the torus were performed by using an electrochemical method. The measurements of the wall shear stress were carried out in the inner and outer walls. The evolution of the wall velocity gradient with the longitudinal distance depends on the location in the torus. These results allow to obtain information about the friction factor, which is compared with the one measured directly by using piezometric connections. The experimental determination of the axial dispersion coefficient is obtained by using the dispersion plug flow model with a total recirculation. Finally, a relationship between the turbulent characteristics and the mixing parameters has been established.     

Growth of cubic boron nitride films by ibad and triode sputtering: development of intrinsic stress

Two methods are employed to evidenced the stress behavior in c-BN films. On the one hand, in depth stress profile of c-BN film, deposited by ion beam assisted evaporation, was performed by recording infrared spectra and substrate curvature after reactive ion etching (RIE) steps. It shows a peak of stress up to −17 GPa in the h-BN basal layer and a stress relaxation when the cubic phase appears. On the other hand, dynamic stress profiles of c-BN films deposited by a triode sputtering system, are obtained by recording infrared spectra and substrate curvature after various c-BN deposition times, with the same experimental conditions. Likewise, a peak of stress of −12 GPa is unmistakably observed in the h-BN basal layer followed by a stress release during c-BN nucleation, where an average value of −12 GPa is observed in the c-BN film volume. These results provide a support for the stress model proposed by McKenzie even if along with a minimum stress a high level of densification of the layer is needed.