Tribological behavior of alumina-added apatite-wollastonite glass-ceramics in simulated body fluid

Tribological properties of an alumina-added apatite-wollastonite glass-ceramic produced by controlled heat treatment of a glass in the system MgO-CaO-SiO(2)-P(2)O(5)-Al(2)O(3) have been evaluated and compared with those of selected commercial dental ceramics, Duceragold and IPS Empress. Tribological tests were performed in dry condition and in simulated body fluid (SBF) using a pin-on-disk apparatus. The friction coefficient and specific wear rate of the tested materials were measured in dry and in artificial saliva (simulated body fluid: SBF) in order to elucidate the appropriateness of the alumina-added apatite-wollastonite (A-W) glass-ceramic for dental applications. Wear rate of the materials investigated varied from 0.96 x 10(-4) mm(3) N(-1) m to 41.37 x 10(-4) mm(3) N(-1) m depending on the bioenvironmental test conditions. The results of this study revealed that the alumina-added A-W glass-ceramic becomes more wear resistant as sintering temperature is increased and exhibits tribological properties similar to those of the commercial dental materials investigated. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.