Flexural strength of feldspathic porcelain: effect of mechanical cycling and fatigue limit by the staircase method

Abstract

This study evaluated the fatigue limit (FL) by the staircase method and the effect of mechanical cycling on the flexural strength (FS) of Duceragold feldspathic porcelain. Specimens (25 x 5 x 2 mm) were made according to manufacturer’s directions and submitted to t hree-point fl exural s trength t est (n = 10). To d etermine FL (n = 30; 10,000 cycles; 2 Hz), an initial loading of 60% of the FS and an incremental loading (step) of 3% of the FS were used. Data were analyzed by Anova and Tukey´s test (p < 0.05). Although the proposed cycles have not reduced FS significantly, fractography analysis showed striation, characteristic signs of mechanical fatigue.