Effects of grinding, polishing, and overglazing on the flexure strength of a high-leucite feldspathic porcelain.

The objective of this study was to determine how surface treatments and moisture affect the flexure strength of a high-leucite feldspathic porcelain. Uniaxial flexure strength was measured for porcelain beams whose surfaces were coarse ground, overglazed, or polished. Half of the specimens were stored in distilled water and tested while their surfaces were coated with distilled water. The other half were stored in a dry environment and tested immediately in dry air. The high-leucite feldspathic porcelain was found to be sensitive to roughness and surface stresses, similar to leucite-free and low-leucite feldspathic porcelains. The experimental method used, however, was not sensitive enough to detect susceptibility to moisture.