Fracture Initiation at the Zirconia/Veneer Interface-A Finite Element Simulation

Zirconia/veneer bilayered components are extensively used in dental restoration technology to improve resistance of tooth's surface from decay. The direction of the fracture propagation at the interface of zirconia and veneer is investigated in this study. Finite element analysis is performed on a bi-material four point bend specimen in different geometries and the fracture initiation angle is obtained using Maximum Tangential Stress (MTS) criterion. The effect of specimen geometry on the fracture initiation angle is discussed. Because an interface crack may propagate through interface or kink into one of the materials, some comments are given to determine under which condition "interface debonding" will be happened.