Disc-shaped specimens were produced and three surface conditions were tested: CT (as-sintered, untreated), GL (thin layer of porcelain glaze), and AA (air abrasion with 30 µm silica particles). Profilometric and phase transformation analyses were performed. Disks were submitted to biaxial flexural strength (BFS) before and after mechanical cycling (100 N, 2×106 cycles) and staircase approach (n=20). The flexural fatigue limits (FFLs) were obtained at 102, 103, 104 and 105 cycles.
Tetragonal to monoclinic transformation was only observed for AA group (9.46% of monoclinic phase). Glazed group presented the highest Ra values. Flexural strength was higher for AA group; CT and GL groups were similar. The reliability was similar between groups. The mechanical cycling at 100 N did not affected flexural strength. FFLs were higher for AA group, and the three surface treatments presented decrease in strength according to the increase in number o cycles.