published_or_final_version / abstract / Electrical and Electronic Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

As a result of manufacturing processes, real surfaces have roughness and surface curvature. The real contact occurs only over microscopic contacts, which are typically only a few percent of the apparent contact area. Because of the surface curvature of contacting bodies, the macrocontact area is formed, the area where microcontacts are distributed randomly. The heat flow must pass through the macrocontact and then microcontacts to transfer from one body to another. This phenomenon leads to a relatively high temperature drop across the interface. Thermal contact resistance (TCR) is a complex interdisciplinary problem, which includes geometrical, mechanical, and thermal analyses. Each part includes a micro and a macro scale sub-problem. Analytical, experimental, and numerical models have been developed to predict TCR since the 1930's. Through comparison with more than 400 experimental data points, it is shown that the existing models are applicable only to the limiting cases and none of them covers the general non-conforming rough contact. The objective of this study is to develop a compact analytical model for predicting TCR for the entire range of non-conforming contacts, i. e. , from conforming rough to smooth sphere-flat in a vacuum. The contact mechanics of the joint must be known prior to solving the thermal problem. A new mechanical model is developed for spherical rough contacts. The deformation modes of the surface asperities and the bulk material of contacting bodies are assumed to be plastic and elastic, respectively. A closed set of governing relationships is derived. An algorithm and a computer code are developed to solve the relationships numerically. Applying Buckingham Pi theorem, the independent non-dimensional parameters that describe the contact problem are specified. A general pressure distribution is proposed that covers the entire spherical rough contacts, including the Hertzian smooth contact. Simple correlations are proposed for the general pressure distribution and the radius of the macrocontact area, as functions of the non-dimensional parameters. These correlations are compared with experimental data collected by others and good agreement is observed. Also a criterion is proposed to identify the flat surface, where the influence of surface curvature on the contact pressure is negligible. Thermal contact resistance is considered as the superposition of macro and micro thermal components. The flux tube geometry is chosen as the basic element in the thermal analysis of microcontacts. Simple expressions for determining TCR of non-conforming rough joints are derived which cover the entire range of TCR by using the general pressure distribution and the flux tube solution. A complete parametric study is performed; it is seen that there is a value of surface roughness that minimizes TCR. The thermal model is verified with more than 600 data points, collected by many researchers during the last 40 years, and good agreement is observed. A new approach is taken to study the thermal joint resistance. A novel model is developed for predicting the TCR of conforming rough contacts employing scale analysis methods. It is shown that the microcontacts can be modeled as heat sources on a half-space for engineering applications. The scale analysis model is extended to predict TCR over the entire range of non-conforming rough contacts by using the general pressure distribution developed in the mechanical model. It is shown that the surface curvature and contact pressure distribution have no effect on the effective micro thermal resistance. A new non-dimensional parameter is introduced as a criterion to identify the three regions of TCR, i. e. , the conforming rough, the smooth spherical, and the transition regions. An experimental program is designed and data points are collected for spherical rough contacts in a vacuum. The radius of curvature of the tested specimens are relatively large (in the order of m) and can not be seen by the naked eye. However, even at relatively large applied loads the measured joint resistance (the macro thermal component) is still large which shows the importance of surface out-of-flatness/curvature. Collected data are compared with the scale analysis model and excellent agreement is observed. The maximum relative difference between the model and the collected data is 6. 8 percent and the relative RMS difference is approximately 4 percent. Additionally, the proposed scale analysis model is compared/verified with more than 880 TCR data points collected by many researchers. These data cover a wide range of materials, surface characteristics, thermal and mechanical properties, mean joint temperature, directional heat transfer effect, and contact between dissimilar metals. The RMS difference between the model and all data is less than 13. 8 percent.

Most theoretical treatments of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) measurements of porous media assume ideal pore geometries for the pores (i.e. slabs, spheres or cylinders) with welldefined surface-to-volume ratios (S/V). This same assumption is commonly adopted for naturally occurring materials, where the pore geometry can differ substantially from these ideal shapes. In this paper the effect of the roughness of the pore surface on the T2 relaxation spectrum is studied. By homogenization of the problem using an electrostatic approach it is found that the effective surface relaxivity can increase dramatically in the presence of rough surfaces. This leads to a situation where the system responds as a pore with a smooth surface, but with significantly increased surface relaxivity. As a result the standard approach of assuming an idealized geometry with known surface to-volume and inverting the T2 relaxation spectrum to a pore size distribution is no longer valid. The effective relaxivity is found to be fairly insensitive to the shape of the roughness but strongly dependent on the width and depth of the surface geometry.

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) has been identified as a good candidate to provide high-resolution soil moisture information over extended areas. SAR data could be used as observations within a global Data Assimilation (DA) approach to benefit applications such as hydrology and agriculture. Prior to developing an operational DA system, one must tackle the following challenges of soil moisture estimation with SAR: (1) the dependency of the measured radar signal on both soil moisture and soil surface roughness which leads to an ill-conditioned inverse problem, and (2) the difficulty in characterizing spatially/temporally surface roughness of natural soils and its scattering contribution. The objectives of this project are (1) to develop a roughness measurement method to improve the spatial/temporal characterization of soil surface roughness, and (2) to investigate to what extent the inverse problem can be solved by combining multipolarization, multi-incidence, and/or multi-frequency radar measurements. The first objective is achieved with a measurement method based on Structure from Motion (SfM). It is tailored to monitor natural surface roughness changes which have often been assumed negligible although without evidence. The measurement method is flexible, a.ordable, straightforward and generates Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) for a SAR-pixel-size plot with mm accuracy. A new processing method based on band-filtering of the DEM and its 2D Power Spectral Density (PSD) is proposed to compute the classical roughness parameters. Time series of DEMs show that non-negligible changes in surface roughness can happen within two months at scales relevant for microwave scattering. The second objective is achieved using maximum likelihood fitting of the Oh backscattering model to (1) full-polarimetric Radarsat-2 data and (2) simulated multi-polarization / multi-incidence / multi-frequency radar data. Model fitting with the Radarsat-2 images leads to poor soil moisture retrieval which is related to inaccuracy of the Oh model. Model fitting with the simulated data quantifies the amount of multilooking for di.erent combinations of measurements needed to mitigate the critical e.ect of speckle on soil moisture uncertainty. Results also suggest that dual-polarization measurements at L- and C-bands are a promising combination to achieve the observation requirements of soil moisture. In conclusion, the SfM method along with the recommended processing techniques are good candidates to improve the characterization of surface roughness. A combination of multi-polarization and multi-frequency radar measurements appears to be a robust basis for a future Data Assimilation system for global soil moisture monitoring.

Este estudo avaliou, in vitro, a influência da aplicação de quatro selantes de superfície na rugosidade de duas resinas compostas. Cinqüenta espécimes foram confeccionados e divididos em 10 grupos com 5 espécimes cada, em função da combinação entre resina composta e selante de superfície, sendo: G1. Controle Concept; G2. Concept + Fortify; G3. Concept + Biscover; G4. Concept + Lasting Touch; G5. Concept + Fill Glaze; G6. Controle Esthet X; G7. Esthet X + Fortify; G8. Esthet X + Biscover; G9. Esthet X + Lasting Touch; G10. Esthet X + Fill Glaze. Os espécimes foram confeccionados com uma matriz específica, em quatro incrementos, com dimensões internas de 15mmX4mmX5mm, sendo sua polimerização realizada com o aparelho de lâmpada halógena Curing Light 2500 (500mW/cm2) por 20s cada incremento. Em seguida, foram armazenados em água destilada à 37ºC e umidade absoluta de 100% por 24 horas. Após este período, os espécimes foram adaptados em uma Politriz Metalográfica e planificados com lixas de granulometria 320, 600 e a rugosidade inicial foi aferida. Para a mensuração da rugosidade, utilizou-se o rugosímetro Hommel Tester T1000 basic. Numa segunda fase, aplicaram-se os selantes de superfície, conforme recomendações do fabricante, e uma nova aferição da rugosidade superficial foi realizada. Para o teste de abrasão, os espécimes foram submetidos a 100.000 ciclos de escovação, seguido de nova mensuração da rugosidade. Em adição à rugosidade e com o objetivo de avaliar qualitativamente a superfície de alguns espécimes, a leitura em Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura foi empregada. Os resultados foram submetidos aos testes ANOVA a 3 critérios e Tukey para comparações individuais entre os diferentes grupos (p<0,05). A aplicação do selante de superfície diminuiu a rugosidade superficial das resinas compostas testadas (G2=0,0727, G3=0,0147, G4=0,0307, G5=0,0253, G6=0,0960, G7=0,0173, G8=0,0333, G9=0,0480). A abrasão simulada aumentou a rugosidade superficial para todos os grupos, com exceção do Fortify (G2=0,0740, G7=0,0673) e Biscover (G7=0,0440), sendo os maiores valores apresentados pelo Lasting Touch (G4= 0,1253, G9=0,0980), seguido do Fill Glaze (G5=0,0933, G10= 0,0847). / This in vitro study evaluated the influence of the application of four surface sealers on the surface roughness of composite resins. Fifty specimens were divided into ten groups according to different patterns of composite resin and surface sealers, as follows: G1. Control with Concept resin; G2. Concept + Fortify; G3. Concept + Biscover; G4. Concept + Lasting Touch; G5. Concept + Fill Glaze; G6. Control with Esthet X; G7. Esthet X + Fortify; G8. Esthet X + Biscover; G9. Esthet X + Lasting Touch; G10. Esthet X + Fill Glaze. Specimens were made in four increments using a stainless steel matrix of 15x5x4mm and resin increments were polymerized with halogen lamp Curing Light 2500 (500mW/cm2) for 20 seconds each. After complete polymerization, specimens were stored in 100% humidity in distilled water at 37ºC for 24 hours. Following storage, specimens were polished using ascending grades (320, 600) of abrasive SiC paper under running water and the initial roughness was measured with a perfilometer Hommel Tester T100 basic (Hommelwerke GmbH ref. # 240851 - Schwenningem - Germany). Surface sealers were applied following the manufacturer\'s instructions and a new measurement of roughness was made. For the abrasive resistance test, specimens were submitted to 100.000 cycles of abrasive dentifrice brushing followed by surface roughness.. Qualitative analisys was made by using MEV. Results were submitted to Three-way ANOVA (p<0,05) and Tuckey\'s test to individual comparisons between different groups. Surface sealant application provided smoother surfaces for of composite resins tested (G2=0.0727, G3=0.0147, G4=0.0307, G5=0.0253, G6=0.0960, G7=0.0173, G8=0.0333, G9=0.0480). The abrasion test increased the surface roughness for all tested groups, except Fortify (G2=0,0740, G7=0,0673) and Biscover (G7=0,0440). Lasting Touch presented rougher surfaces (G4= 0,1253, G9=0,0980), followed by Fill Glaze (G5=0,0933, G10= 0,0847).

As coroas provisórias apresentam algumas características que podem comprometer a estética e facilitar aderência de microorganismos e formação de placa. Estudos prévios demonstraram que a forma de processamento influi na rugosidade e porosidade de uma marca comercial de resina acrílica comumente utilizada para a confecção de provisórias. Como diferentes marcas comerciais apresentam diferenças de qualidade, o presente estudo teve como objetivo principal avaliar a rugosidade superficial de quatro marcas comerciais de resina acrílica utilizadas na confecção de coroas provisórias (Dencor, Vipi, Duralay e Alike) de acordo com quatro técnicas de manipulação, diretas e indiretas. Os processamentos avaliados foram: GRUPO I autopolimerização sob pressão em matriz de silicona; GRUPO II - autopolimerização térmica em mufla; GRUPO III autopolimerização utilizando a técnica do pincel; GRUPO IV autopolimerização pela mistura em pote dappen. Para cada tipo de processamento foram confeccionados 12 corpos-deprova de cada material, totalizando 48 corpos-de-prova para cada grupo e 192 espécimes ao total. Logo após a confecção dos espécimes foi realizado o teste de rugosidade de superfície (Ra) através de um rugosímetro/perfilômetro. Posteriormente, a superfície dos mesmos foi uniformizada e polida com a utilização de politriz, realizando-se novamente os mesmos testes de rugosidade. Antes do acabamento e polimento de superfície, os resultados encontrados apontaram a maior rugosidade para resina Vipi (4,074 ± 0,541) e técnica da mistura em dappen gupo IV (3,538 ± 0,509), enquanto que a menor rugosidade foi encontrada para resina Alike (2,671 ± 0,512) e técnica da prensagem em mufla grupo II (2,733 ± 0,470). Após acabamento e polimento, a maior rugosidade foi encontrada para resina Vipi (0,207 ± 0,032) e técnica da pressão grupo I (0,172 ± 0,037), enquanto que a menor rugosidade para resina Alike (0,113 ± 0,036) e técnica da prensagem em mufla grupo II (0,138 ± 0,027). Com os resultados obtidos, foi possível concluir que a melhor combinação para confecção de coroas provisórias em resina acrílica foi a técnica da prensagem em mufla associada à resina Alike. / Provisional crowns have some features that may compromise aesthetics and favors adherence of microorganisms and dental plaque formation. Previous studies have shown that processing may influence roughness and porosity of acrylic resins commonly used make provisional crowns. Because the several commercial resins available present differences in their quality the aim of this study was to evaluate the surface roughness of four commercial brands of acrylic resins (Dencor, Vipi, Duralay and Alike) according to four manipulation techniques (two direct and two indirect): GROUP I - autopolimerization under pressure in a silicone matrix; GROUP II autppolimerization in flask; GROUP III - autopolimerization using the bead brush technique; GROUP IV - autopolimerization after mixing in dappen dish. For each type of processing 12 specimens were made of each material, being 48 specimens for each group and 192 specimens in total. After specimens preparation, surface roughness tests (Ra) was performed using a rugosimeter / profilometer. Posteriorly, all surfaces were polished for standardization and same roughness tests were performed again. Before finishing and polishing, the results pointed out that Vipi resin presented the highest roughness (4.074 ± 0.541). Mixing the resin in dappen dish group IV (3.538 ± 0.509) also presented the highest roughness values regarding the technique. The lowest roughness values were found with Alike resin (2.671 ± 0.512) and flask technique group II (2.733 ± 0.470). After finishing and polishing techniques, the highest roughness was found with Vipi resin (0.207 ± 0.032) and the autopolimetization under pressure in silicone matrix technique - group I (0.172 ± 0.037). The lowest roughness values were found with Alike resin (0.113 ± 0.036) and flask technique group II (0.138 ± 0.027). With these results, it was possible to conclude that the best combination for making provisional crowns was the flask technique associated with Alike resin.

Para vegetação esparsa e de porte alto a determinação dos parâmetros de rugosidade é comprometida pela dificuldade em se observar condições que satisfaçam a lei logarítmica da velocidade do vento. Estimou-se o comprimento de rugosidade (z0) e o deslocamento do plano zero (d) por alguns métodos com medidas micrometeorológicas e da estrutura física de arbustos esparsos em região semi-árida, durante o experimento HAPEX-Sahel. A velocidade do vento foi medida em quatro alturas acima da superfície (3,0; 4,1; 5,3 e 8,5 m), e os fluxos determinados por correlações dos turbilhões a 9m de altura. Métodos baseados no perfil logarítmico foram aplicados em condições de atmosfera neutra. A altura média da vegetação era h = 2,06 ± 0,47 m. O método convencional (ajuste estatístico) resultou em estimativas satisfatórias de d e z0 em condições nas quais a validade do perfil logarítmico foi satisfeita. Com uma única altura de medida localizada acima da subcamada inercial as estimativas resultaram em valores ou fisicamente inconsistentes ou que não caracterizam a rugosidade da superfície. Quando se utilizou a velocidade de fricção dada pela correlação dos turbilhões na solução do perfil logarítmico, as estimativas melhoraram. A combinação do perfil logarítmico com a relação z0 = &#955; (h - d) proporcionou estimativas satisfatórias para os valores de &#955; = 0,188 e 0,190 determinados em função da estrutura física da vegetação, o que não foi observado para o valor médio da literatura (0,166). Relações entre a estrutura física da vegetação e o transporte de momentum estimaram apropriadamente d e z0. A rugosidade da área foi melhor descrita por d = 0,95 m = 0,46 h e z0 = 0,204 m = 0,1 h, sendo &#955; = 0,185. As velocidades horizontal do vento e de fricção foram mais sensíveis a variações em z0 do que em d. / For sparse and tall vegetation the estimate of roughness parameters is compromised by the difficulty in observing conditions that satisfy the windspeed logarithmic law. The roughness length (z0) and the zero-plane displacement (d) were estimated by some methods with micrometeorological measurements and the physical structure of sparse shrubs in semi-arid region, during the HAPEX-Sahel experiment. The wind speed was measured at four heights above of surface (3.0, 4.1, 5.3 and 8.5 m), and the turbulent flows determined by eddy correlations at the height of 9m. Methods based on the logarithmic profile have been applied in neutral atmosphere conditions. The average height of the vegetation was h = 2.06 ± 0.47 m. The conventional method (statistical fit) resulted in good estimates of d and z0 only under conditions of validity of the logarithmic law. Only one height of measurement located above of the inertial sublayer is enough to result in physically inconsistent values. When the friction velocity, given by eddy correlation, was used in the logarithmic law, the estimates improved. The combination of the logarithmic law with z0 = &#955; (h - d) provided satisfactory estimates of the surface roughness for &#955; = 0.188 and 0.190 determined in function of the physical structure of the vegetation; but for &#955; = 0.166, the average value of literature, the estimates where not good. Relationships between the physical structure of the vegetation and the momentum transfer estimated appropriately d and z0. The area roughness was better described by d = 0.95 m = 0.46 h and z0 = 0.204 m = 0.1 h, being &#955; = 0.185. Wind speed and friction velocity were more sensible to variations in z0 than in d.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo analisar &ldquo;in vitro&rdquo; a alteração de cor e a rugosidade superficial de uma resina composta (Charisma®) submetidas a tratamento clareador com agente clareador Lase Peroxide Sensy® (CC) e grupo controle sem tratamento clareador (SCL), após envelhecimento (EAA) em função do tempo, realizando-se avaliação superficial complementar por meio de Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV) e EDX. Os corpos-de-prova (n=15) foram confeccionados com o auxílio de uma matriz de Teflon nas dimensões de 11x2,0mm, polidos com discos Soft Lex®, na seqüência de abrasividade decrescente e armazenados em saliva artificial a 37ºC (±1ºC), até os momentos de serem submetidos aos tratamentos propostos e à realização das leituras de alteração de cor e rugosidade superficial, nos tempos: 24 horas após a confecção (T0), após envelhecimento artificial acelerado (T1), 24 horas após clareamento (T2), 7dias (T3) e 1 mês após clareamento (T4). As leituras de alteração de cor foram obtidas com o auxílio do aparelho Espectrofotômetro (PCB6807BYK GARDNER) e para as leituras de rugosidade superfícial foi utilizado o Rugosímetro Mitutoyo SJ201P. Os dados foram submetidos à Análise de Variância ANOVA (p&le;0,05). Os resultados obtidos foram: a) o fator Tempo teve efeito estatisticamente significante sobre as variáveis &Delta;E* (T1=T2=T3; T1=T4), L* (T0&lt;T1=T2=T3=T4), a* (T0&gt;T1=T2; T1=T3=T4; T4&gt;T2), b* (T0&gt;T1=T2=T3; T4=T3=T1; T2&lt;T4) e rugosidade superficial (&mu;m) (T0&lt;T1,T2,T3,T4; T1=T2; T1&lt;T3=T4; T2=T3=T4; b) para o fator tratamento com relação a &Delta;E* e fator L*(CC&gt;SCL), para os fatores a* e b*(CC&lt;SC), c) a interação Tratamento x Tempo não apresentou diferença estatisticamente significante para as variáveis &Delta;E*, L*, a*, b* e rugosidade superficial, d) as superfícies após EAA apresentaram alterações d) não houve mudanças no EDX antes e após os tratamentos. Conclui-se que a resina Charisma®, apresentou alteração de cor (&Delta;E*&gt;3,3) e uma estabilidade na rugosidade superficial a partir de T2. / The current study in vitro evaluated the color change and surface roughness of the composite resin Charisma® cleared with Lase Peroxide Sensy® (CCL) and control without bleaching (SCL) after accelerated artificial aging (EAA) as a function of time, performing additional surface evaluation by scanning electron microscopy (MEV) and EDX. To obtain the color change and surface roughness a Spectrophotometer (PCB 6807 BYK GARDNER) and rugosimeter (Mitutoyo SJ- 201P) were employed respectively. Measurements were carried out at five times: 24 hours after preparation (T0), after artificial accelerated aging (T1), 24 hours after bleaching (T2), 7days (T3) and 1 month after bleaching (T4). The specimens (n=15) were prepared with aid of a Teflon (10-mmin diameter and 2mm thick). The specimens were polished with discs Soft Lex®, following abrasiveness decreased, being stored in artificial saliva at 37ºC (±1ºC) until the time of undergoing the proposed treatments and the measurements. The data obtained were submitted to ANOVA parametric test (p &le; 0.05). The results were: a) time factor had a statistically significant effect on the variables &Delta;E* (T1 = T2 = T3, T1 = T4), L*(T0 &lt;T1 = T2 = T3 = T4), a* (T0 &gt; T1 = T2; T1=T3 =T4, T4&gt;T2), b* (T0&gt; T1=T2=T3, T4=T3=T1; T2&lt;T4) and roughness(&mu;m) (T0&lt;T1,T2, T3,T4; T1 = T2; T1&lt;T3=T4; T2=T3=T4), b) for treatment factor &Delta;E* and L* (CC&gt; SCL) for the factors a*and b* (CC &lt;SC), c) Treatment x Time interaction showed no statistically significant difference for the variables &Delta;E*, L*, a*, b* and surface roughness, d) after EAA the surfaces change d) before and after EAA dont have changes. It is concluded that the resin Charisma®, presented color change (&Delta;E *> 3.3) and surface roughness stability from T2.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a estabilidade de cor e rugosidade de superfície de 3 compósitos odontológicos com partículas diferentes: nanohíbrido (Tetric N-Ceram - Ivoclar Vivadent), híbrido (Z250 - 3M ESPE) e microhíbrido com matriz silorano (Filtek P90 3M - ESPE), submetidos à fumaça de cigarro. Para isso, foram obtidos 60 corpos-de-prova (8mm de diâmetro X 2mm de espessura), 20 para cada tipo de material restaurador utilizado, dos quais 10 receberam polimento com lixas dágua em abrasividades decrescentes (Grupo1) e a outra metade não foi submetida a nenhum tipo de acabamento/polimento ficando sob efeito apenas de uma matriz de poliéster (Grupo 2). Após armazenamento dos corpos de prova em água destilada a 37°C por 24 horas, foram realizadas as primeiras leituras de cor (Colorímetro Vita Easy Shade) na escala de cor CIEL*a*b* e rugosidade superficial (Rugosímetro Surfcorder SE 1700 - Kosakalab). Em seguida, as amostras foram expostas à fumaça de 20 cigarros por um período de 10 minutos cada, (Marlboro - Philip Morris), sendo que entre um cigarro e outro as amostras foram submetidas à escovação em dispositivo padronizado e lavagem em água corrente. Após ação do número total de cigarros, foram realizadas leituras finais de cor e rugosidade. Os valores de &Delta;E, &Delta;L, &Delta;a e &Delta;b foram analisados estatisticamente utilizando 2 way ANOVA e Teste de Bonferroni (p<0.05) e os valores de rugosidade média (Ra) foram analisados isoladamente para cada tipo de material (teste t Student, p < 0.05). Verificou-se que o compósito Tetric N apresentou maior alteração de cor, em níveis clinicamente inaceitáveis (&Delta;E>3,3) e de rugosidade de superfície em relação aos demais compósitos quando utilizada a tira de poliéster como acabamento. Concluiu-se que a ausência de polimento aumenta a capacidade manchadora do cigarro sobre todos os compósitos e a rugosidade de superfície dos materiais, com exceção de P90. / The purpose of this study was to evaluate the color stability and surface roughness of three dental composites with different type of fillers: Nanohybrid (Tetric N-Ceram), Hybrid (Filtek Z250-3M ESPE) and Microhybrid silorane based composite (Filtek P90- 3M ESPE), exposed to cigarette smoke. 20 specimens (8mm diameter X 2mm thickness) of each material were prepared and separated into two groups (n=10) according to the surface treatment : Group 1- polymerization through a polyester film strip and polishing with water sandpaper in decreasing abrasiveness (600, 800 e 1200); and Group 2- polymerization through a polyester film strip, without any polishing. After immersion in destilled water 37° for 24 hours, baseline color of all specimens was measured using reflectance spectrophotometer (Easy Shade - Vita) with CIEL*a*b* system, surface roughness was also measured using a rugosimeter (SJ-201P Mitutoyo, Tokyo, Japan). After base line measurements, the specimens were exposed to smoke from 20 cigarettes in 10 minutes each, (Marlboro - Philip Morris), between one cigarette and other, the specimens were submitted to brushing in a standardized device and washed with water. After the action of the total number of cigarettes, final measurements of color and surface roughness were performed. Values of &Delta;E, &Delta;L, &Delta;a e &Delta;b were statistically analyzed using 2 way ANOVA e Teste de Bonferroni (p<0.05) and values of average surface roughness (Ra) were analyzed separately for each type of material (teste t Student, p < 0.05). It was found that the composite Tetric N-Ceram showed increased of surface roughness and greater color change in clinically unacceptable levels (&Delta;E>3,3), in comparison with the other composites when used the polyester strip without polishing. It was concluded that the absence of polishing increases the cigarette staining and surface roughness on all composites except for Filtek P90.

Este trabalho apresenta estudos de usinabilidade de chapas MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard), tendo por objetivo principal efetuar uma análise do desempenho de corte em relação à qualidade da superfície usinada e à força específica de corte paralela necessária, a fim de se verificar a influência dos parâmetros estudados para operações de usinagem de acabamento e desbaste, respectivamente. No estudo para operação de acabamento verificou-se a influência da espessura de corte,velocidade de avanço e sentido de corte, em operação de fresamento cilíndrico periférico, sobre a rugosidade superficial da borda das chapas MDF. Uma fresadora vertical foi utilizada para gerar as superfícies, cuja rugosidade superficial foi medida por um perfilômetro de apalpamento. No estudo para operação de desbaste, a força específica de corte paralela foi avaliada em função da variação do ângulo de saída, da espessura de corte e da profundidade de corte, em operação de corte ortogonal. Para tanto, foram empregadas uma plaina limadora e uma célula de carga de extensômetros resistivos, conectada a um programa de aquisição e análise de dados. A partir da análise dos resultados obtidos, foi possível identificar a influência de cada parâmetro de corte empregado. / This work presents a MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) machinability study aiming to carry out a cutting performance analysis regarding to surface quality and parallel specific cutting force, in order to verify the cutting parameters effect on the finishing and roughing machining operations, respectively. In the finishing study, it was verified the effect of the cutting thickness, cutting speed and direction of cutterhead rotation with relation to feed direction, in peripheral milling, on the MDF edges surface roughness. The surfaces were developed by a moulder, which roughness were measured by a stylus perfilometer. In the roughing study, the parallel specific cutting force was assessed in relation to the variation of the rake angle, cutting thickness and depth of cut, for the orthogonal cut. For this, it was used a planing machine and a resistance dynamometer, coupled in a data acquisition and analysis system. From the analysis of the obtained results, it was possible to identify the influence of each cutting parameter considered.