Preparation of a mechanically biomimetic polymer-infiltrated ceramic and bond test by digital image correlation.

This study developed a polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (PICN) with dentin-like mechanical properties for tooth restoration, and explored its internal stress transmission mechanisms under load using digital image correlation (DIC). A porous sodium aluminum silicate powder scaffold was fabricated and vacuum-infiltrated with resin to produce experimental PICN (EXP). The mechanical properties of EXP, Enamic, Emax, zirconia were assessed using Vickers hardness and three-point bending tests, shear bond tests, combined with DIC to observe their corresponding stress distribution and transmission path. The EXP with 30% porosity exhibited a flexural strength of 192.90 MPa, a shear bond strength of 23.35 MPa, a Vickers hardness of 2.75 GPa and an elastic modulus of 8.19 GPa which is comparable to demineralized dentin 8.47 GPa. The DIC revealed a more homogeneous strain distribution in the EXP compared with other materials, indicating a promising alternative for CAD/CAM dental restorations.