Effects of a silica spin-on interlayer and heating mode on the joining of zirconia and MaCor™

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has been used to assess the role of thin spin-on interlayers and the effects of heating mode, joining temperature, and time on microstructure development in the process of joining zirconia and MaCor(TM). Sintered polycrystalline partially stabilized zirconia (PSZ) specimens and commercial machinable glass ceramic (MaCor(TM)) have been joined with or without a thin (similar to 400 nm) amorphous silica interlayer. After joining at different temperatures, times, and with and without the silica interlayer, the interface between zirconia and MaCor(TM) showed similar interfacial microstructures, with all of the interfaces showing intimate bonding between the zirconia and MaCor(TM), without any additional interfacial phases. Experiments indicate that joining requires higher nominal temperatures when carried out using conventional heating rather than microwave heating. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.