Microstructure, cytocompatibility, and chemical durability of chemically strengthened LAS (Li2O-Al2O3-SiO2) glass-ceramic materials

The K+-Na+ ion exchange was used to strengthen LAS glass-ceramic materials prepared by hot-pressing sintering. The microstructure, cytocompatibility, and chemical durability of the chemically strengthened LAS glass-ceramics were characterized. The XRD results showed that the K+-Na+ ion exchange mainly occurred between the glass phase of the LAS glass-ceramics and molten salt baths. The ion-exchange process was mainly responsible for the improved chemical durability of the LAS glass-ceramics. The dissolution in acetic acid was significantly reduced from 72 to 15 mu g.cm(-2) after the ion-exchange treatment, which was attributed to residual compressive stress and increased contents of Q(3) and Q(4) structural units in the surface region of the LAS glass-ceramics. In addition, the chemically strengthened LAS glass-ceramic samples exhibited good biocompatibility determined by the CCK-8 process using the L929 cell line, having a promising potential as dental restorative materials.

Automated summary

In this study, the K+-Na+ ion exchange was used to strengthen LAS glass-ceramic materials prepared by hot-pressing sintering. The XRD results and dissolution experiment confirmed the ion exchange mechanism and the improved chemical durability. The cellular experiments showed that the chemically strengthened LAS glass-ceramic had good biocompatibility, indicating its potential as dental restorative materials.