O objetivo deste estudo in vitro foi avaliar e comparar a microestrutura e a composição mineral do esmalte e da dentina de dentes decíduos e permanentes. Terceiros molares hígidos e segundos molares decíduos foram selecionados e distribuídos aleatoriamente em grupos, de acordo com o método de análise dos substratos utilizado: Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV), Espectroscopia de Energia Dispersiva de Raio X (EDX), Difração de Raio X (DRX) e Microscopia Óptica (MO). Foi realizada comparação qualitativa e quantitativa da estrutura dental. As medidas de densidade numérica e diâmetro dos prismas de esmalte/túbulos dentinários e, de espessura do esmalte, dentina e dentina peritubular foram realizadas por meio de fotomicrografias obtidas pela MEV. Os resultados obtidos por meio da SEM foram analisados estatisticamente pelo teste não-paramétrico de Kruskal-Wallis. A quantidade relativa de íons cálcio (Ca) e fósforo (P) foram determinadas por meio de EDX e as fases químicas presentes em ambos os substratos, por análise de DRX. O valor das medidas de espessura observado para o esmalte e dentina dos dentes decíduos foi de 1.14 mm e 3.02 mm, respectivamente. Para os dentes permanentes, obtiveram-se valores de 2.58 mm para o esmalte e 5.95 mm para a dentina. Com relação ao diâmetro da cabeça dos prismas de esmalte, os resultados foram estatisticamente semelhantes para os dentes decíduos e permanentes, demonstrando uma ligeira diminuição do diâmetro da superfície externa para a região próxima a junção amelodentinária (JAD). A densidade numérica dos prismas foi maior nos dentes decíduos, principalmente próximo à JAD, sendo estatisticamente diferente dos valores observados nos dentes permanentes, independente da região analisada. Na análise do diâmetro e densidade numérica dos túbulos dentinários verificou-se semelhança estatística entre os dentes decíduos e permanentes, havendo aumento gradativo do número de túbulos a partir da JAD em direção a região próxima a polpa. A espessura da dentina peritubular, na região próxima a JAD e central foi, respectivamente, 0.91 e 0.59 mm nos dentes decíduos 1.16 e 0.98 mm nos dentes permanentes. A porcentagem de Ca e P foi maior nos dentes permanentes. Observou-se ainda, que a quantidade de colágeno nos dentes decíduos foi aparentemente menor quando analisados por meio da MO. De acordo com os resultados obtidos neste estudo, pode-se concluir que, de maneira geral, os dentes decíduos apresentam menor porcentagem de Ca e P, menor espessura de esmalte e dentina, maior densidade numérica de prismas e dentina peritubular mais delgada quando comparada aos dentes permanentes. / This study evaluated in vitro the microstructure and mineral composition of dental enamel and dentin comparing the permanent teeth with the deciduous teeth. Sound third molars and second primary molars were selected and randomly assigned to the following groups, according to the analysis methods of the substrates performed: Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) and Optical Microscopy (OP). A qualitative and quantitative comparison of the dental structure was done. The measurements of the number and diameter of prisms/tubules, thickness of enamel, dentin and peritubular dentin were done in SEM photomicrographs. The microscopic findings were analyzed statistically by a non-parametric test (Kruskal- Wallis). The relative amounts of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) were determined by EDS investigation. Phase present in both types of teeth were observed by the XRD analysis. The mean thickness measurements observed in the deciduous teeth enamel and dentin was, respectively, 1.14 mm and 3.02 mm and in the permanent teeth, 2.58 mm and 5.95 mm. The mean rod head diameter in deciduous teeth was statistically similar to that of permanent teeth enamel, and a slightly decrease from the outer enamel surface to the region next to the enameldentine junction was assessed. The numerical density of enamel rods was higher in the deciduous teeth, mainly near EDJ, that showed statistically significant difference. The mean tubules number and diameter in deciduous teeth were statistically similar to that of permanent teeth, and this numerical density increased from the EDJ to the region near the pulp. The mean thickness measurements of peritubular dentin observed in the regions near EDJ and central were, respectively, 0.91 and 0.59 mm for the primary teeth / 1.16 and 0.98 mm for the permanent teeth. The percentage of Ca and P was higher in the permanent teeth. The collagen level was apparently lower in deciduous teeth when analyzed by OP. The primary teeth structure showed a lower level of Ca and P and a thinner enamel and dentin thickness. The deciduous enamel presented higher numerical density of rods. The peritubular dentin was thicker in the permanent teeth.

Thermo-stabilized lignin fibers from pH-fractionated softwood kraft lignin were carbonized to various temperatures during thermomechanical analysis (TMA) under static and increasing load and different rates of heating. The aim was to optimize the carbonization process to obtain suitable carbon fiber material with good mechanical strength potential (high tensile strength and high E-modulus). The carbon fibers were therefore mainly evaluated of mechanical strength in Dia-Stron uniaxial tensile testing. In addition, chemical composition, in terms of functional groups, and elemental (atomic) composition was studied in Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and in energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), respectively. The structure of carbon fibers was imaged in scanning electron microscope (SEM) and light microscopy. Thermogravimetrical analysis was performed on thermo-stabilized lignin fibers to evaluate the loss of mass and to calculate the stress-changes and diameter-changes that occur during carbonization. The TMA-analysis of the deformation showed, for thermo-stabilized lignin fibers, a characteristic behavior of contraction during carbonization. Carbonization temperatures above 1000°C seemed most efficient in terms of E-modulus and tensile strength whereas rate of heating did not matter considerably. The E-modulus for the fibers was improved significantly by slowly increasing the load during the carbonization. The tensile strength remained however unchanged. The FTIR-analysis indicated that many functional groups, mainly oxygen containing, dissociate from the lignin polymers during carbonization. The EDS supported this by showing that the oxygen content decreased. Accordingly, the relative carbon content increased passively to around 90% at 1000°C. Aromatic structures in the carbon fibers are thought to contribute to the mechanical strength and are likely formed during the carbonization. However, the FTIR result showed no evident signs that aromatic structures had been formed, possible due to some difficulties with the KBr-method. In the SEM and light microscopy imaging one could observe that porous formations on the surface of the fibers increased as the temperature increased in the carbonization. These formations may have affected the mechanical strength of the carbon fibers, mainly tensile strength. The carbonization process was optimized in the sense that any heating rate can be used. No restriction in production speed exists. The carbonization should be run to at least 1000°C to achieve maximum mechanical strength, both in E-modulus and tensile strength. To improve the E-modulus further, a slowly increasing load can be applied to the lignin fibers during carbonization. The earlier the force is applied, to counteract the lignin fiber contraction that occurs (namely around 300°C), the better. However, in terms of mechanical performance, the lignin carbon fibers are still far from practical use in the industry.

O objetivo deste estudo in vitro foi avaliar e comparar a microestrutura e a composição mineral do esmalte e da dentina de dentes decíduos e permanentes. Terceiros molares hígidos e segundos molares decíduos foram selecionados e distribuídos aleatoriamente em grupos, de acordo com o método de análise dos substratos utilizado: Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV), Espectroscopia de Energia Dispersiva de Raio X (EDX), Difração de Raio X (DRX) e Microscopia Óptica (MO). Foi realizada comparação qualitativa e quantitativa da estrutura dental. As medidas de densidade numérica e diâmetro dos prismas de esmalte/túbulos dentinários e, de espessura do esmalte, dentina e dentina peritubular foram realizadas por meio de fotomicrografias obtidas pela MEV. Os resultados obtidos por meio da SEM foram analisados estatisticamente pelo teste não-paramétrico de Kruskal-Wallis. A quantidade relativa de íons cálcio (Ca) e fósforo (P) foram determinadas por meio de EDX e as fases químicas presentes em ambos os substratos, por análise de DRX. O valor das medidas de espessura observado para o esmalte e dentina dos dentes decíduos foi de 1.14 mm e 3.02 mm, respectivamente. Para os dentes permanentes, obtiveram-se valores de 2.58 mm para o esmalte e 5.95 mm para a dentina. Com relação ao diâmetro da cabeça dos prismas de esmalte, os resultados foram estatisticamente semelhantes para os dentes decíduos e permanentes, demonstrando uma ligeira diminuição do diâmetro da superfície externa para a região próxima a junção amelodentinária (JAD). A densidade numérica dos prismas foi maior nos dentes decíduos, principalmente próximo à JAD, sendo estatisticamente diferente dos valores observados nos dentes permanentes, independente da região analisada. Na análise do diâmetro e densidade numérica dos túbulos dentinários verificou-se semelhança estatística entre os dentes decíduos e permanentes, havendo aumento gradativo do número de túbulos a partir da JAD em direção a região próxima a polpa. A espessura da dentina peritubular, na região próxima a JAD e central foi, respectivamente, 0.91 e 0.59 mm nos dentes decíduos 1.16 e 0.98 mm nos dentes permanentes. A porcentagem de Ca e P foi maior nos dentes permanentes. Observou-se ainda, que a quantidade de colágeno nos dentes decíduos foi aparentemente menor quando analisados por meio da MO. De acordo com os resultados obtidos neste estudo, pode-se concluir que, de maneira geral, os dentes decíduos apresentam menor porcentagem de Ca e P, menor espessura de esmalte e dentina, maior densidade numérica de prismas e dentina peritubular mais delgada quando comparada aos dentes permanentes. / This study evaluated in vitro the microstructure and mineral composition of dental enamel and dentin comparing the permanent teeth with the deciduous teeth. Sound third molars and second primary molars were selected and randomly assigned to the following groups, according to the analysis methods of the substrates performed: Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) and Optical Microscopy (OP). A qualitative and quantitative comparison of the dental structure was done. The measurements of the number and diameter of prisms/tubules, thickness of enamel, dentin and peritubular dentin were done in SEM photomicrographs. The microscopic findings were analyzed statistically by a non-parametric test (Kruskal- Wallis). The relative amounts of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) were determined by EDS investigation. Phase present in both types of teeth were observed by the XRD analysis. The mean thickness measurements observed in the deciduous teeth enamel and dentin was, respectively, 1.14 mm and 3.02 mm and in the permanent teeth, 2.58 mm and 5.95 mm. The mean rod head diameter in deciduous teeth was statistically similar to that of permanent teeth enamel, and a slightly decrease from the outer enamel surface to the region next to the enameldentine junction was assessed. The numerical density of enamel rods was higher in the deciduous teeth, mainly near EDJ, that showed statistically significant difference. The mean tubules number and diameter in deciduous teeth were statistically similar to that of permanent teeth, and this numerical density increased from the EDJ to the region near the pulp. The mean thickness measurements of peritubular dentin observed in the regions near EDJ and central were, respectively, 0.91 and 0.59 mm for the primary teeth / 1.16 and 0.98 mm for the permanent teeth. The percentage of Ca and P was higher in the permanent teeth. The collagen level was apparently lower in deciduous teeth when analyzed by OP. The primary teeth structure showed a lower level of Ca and P and a thinner enamel and dentin thickness. The deciduous enamel presented higher numerical density of rods. The peritubular dentin was thicker in the permanent teeth.