• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.130-137
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• 2007

This in vitro study examined the effect of surface defects on cutting blades on the extent of the cyclic fatigue fracture of HEROShaper Ni-Ti rotary files using fractographic analysis of the fractured surfaces. A total of 45 HEROShaper (MicroMega) Ni-Ti rotary flies with a #30/.04 taper were divided into three groups of 15 each. Group 1 contained new HEROShapers without any surface defects. Group 2 contained HEROShapers with manufacturing defects such as metal rollover and machining marks. Croup 3 contained HEROShapers that had been clinically used for the canal preparation of 4-6 molars A fatigue-testing device was designed to allow cyclic tension and compressive stress on the tip of the instrument whilst maintaining similar conditions to those experienced in a clinic. The level of fatigue fracture time was measured using a computer connected the system. Statistical analysis was performed using a Tukey's test. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for fractographic analysis of the fractured surfaces. The fatigue fracture time between groups 1 and 2, and between groups 1 and 3 was significantly different (p<0.05) but there was no significant difference between groups 2 and 3 (p>0.05). A low magnification SEM views show brittle fracture as the main initial failure mode At higher magnification, the brittle fracture region showed clusters of fatigue striations and a large number of secondary cracks. These fractures typically led to a central region of catastrophic ductile failure. Qualitatively, the ductile fracture region was characterized by the formation of microvoids and dimpling. The fractured surfaces of the HEROShapers in groups 2 and 3 were always associated with pre-existing surface defects. Typically, the fractured surface in the brittle fracture region showed evidence of cleavage (transgranular) facets across the grains, as well as intergranular facets along the grain boundaries. These results show that surface defects on cutting blades of Ni-Ti rotary files might be the preferred sites for the origin of fatigue fracture under experimental conditions. Furthermore this work demonstrates the utility of fractography in evaluating the failure of Ni-Ti rotary flies.

• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.101-114
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• 2011

The rock-carved Buddha statue at Dosolam (Korea Treasure No. 1200) of the Seonunsa temple in Gochang is unique style sculptured on natural rock cliff of 13.0m height. The Buddha statue is composed of volcanic complex with tuff, dacitic tuff breccia, tuff bereccia and lithic tuff. Especially, the Buddha statue is characterized by hydrothermal alteration and fragmentation on the upper and lower part. As a result of damage diagnosis, exfoliation and detachment of physical weathering are high of 11.3% and 9.3%, respectively. Infrared thermography analysis, exfoliation and micro-cracks occurred in the measuring parts that have not been confirmed by naked eyes. Chemical index of alteration and weathering potential index of host rock for the Buddha statue are 55.16 to 64.01 and 6.14 to 9.92 which are represented within highly weathering degree. In surface, dark black, reddish brown and white discoloration are observed prominently in the lower. Brown discoloration 6.9% is highest. According to the P-XRF measurements, high concentration of Fe in common, in part of dark black discoloration was Mn, white and brown discoloration in part of S and Ca content were higher. Biological weathering that yellowish brown and dark gray crustoes lichenes appeared by 20.8% and 13.3%, respectively. Therefore, comprehensive deterioration rate of Buddha statue show physical damage by 21.2%, discoloration for inorganic contaminants by 10.8% and biological damage by 39.4%. Ultrasonic velocity measurement carried out of Buddha statue on the surface by 555 points. Measured value of ultrasonic velocity was about 2,273m/s(1,067 to 3,215m/s, and weathering coefficient is 0.5(0.4 to 0.8) that progress on MW(moderately weathered) to HW(highly weathered) grade of rocks.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.563-569
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• 2014

Ruby is one of the most favor colored gem, for beautiful red tone, be high in scarcity value. However, rubies with high quality are produced in restricted regions, such as in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Tanzania etc., and they have been gradually exhausted by mining for a long period. Therefore, improving qualities of low level rubies with various treatments is arising an alternative way to obtain better rubies. Gemological and mineralogical properties of the natural ruby from Tanzanian were studied with heat treatments. Those characteristics were compared between only heat and adding flux materials under heating. Tanzanian raw rubies were applied a heat treatment ($1,600^{\circ}C$ for 6 hours). However, chromameter and UV-Vis analyses found that a simple heat treatment is inappropriated for the Tanzanian ruby. Although $Cr^{3+}$ containing for red color in the ruby increased with heat treatment, the ruby displays dark medium red because of Fe in the ruby as a form of $Fe_2O_3$. The low transparency after heat treatment is attributed to the recrystallization of $SiO_2$ which has a low melting point. Chromameter confirmed adding Pb-containing flux under heating greatly improves the clarity and color of Tanzanian rubies with micro-fractures and cavities on the surface. EMPA results show that Pb as an additive fills the cavities and cracks on raw Tanzanian rubies during the heat treatment. As a rewult of it, the quality of the Tanzanian ruby raw dramatically improved. These results indicate that the heat treatment with an additive (Pb in this study) is an effective way to obtain better quality of the Tanzanian ruby. Consequently, this study suggests a suitable method to improve the properties of the Tanzanina ruby. The result of this study would provide useful information to upgrade the qualities of similar gem stones such as corundum and sapphire.