초록
Purpose: This study was performed to investigate processability of the dental zirconia block. Most of the CAD/CAM zirconia restorations utilize the partially sintered blocks, which are sintered at a temperature lower than $1100^{\circ}C$. Methods: Partially sintered zirconia samples were prepared $40{\times}30{\times}10mm$ and surface treatment by #2000 sandpaper. Scratch hardness was determined by the procedure of ASTM G171-03 using a scratch hardness tester(KS TECH, Korea) equipped with a real time load detector to measure tangential force during scratching. The scratch rate was 30 mm/min. Results: Scratch hardness(Hs) increases steeply with increase in the loads. The highest Hs was sampl 1.42 GPa and lowest was sample 0.42 GPa. Conclusion : The machinability of partially sintered CAD/CAM zirconia blocks can be optivized by manipulation of Hs.