Fabrication of Superfine Leucite-Reinforced Dental Material by Hydrothermal Precursor and Low-Temperature Frit

A superfine leucite‐reinforced dental material was prepared by heat‐treating the mixture of hydrothermally derived leucite precursor and low‐temperature frit at 750°C. XRD and DSC results indicate that the low‐temperature frit can lower leucite crystallization temperature from 1027°C to 694°C. High‐temperature X‐ray diffraction of the dental porcelain demonstrates that there exists a temperature range in which leucite crystals are in the equilibrium of forming, ripening, and dissolving, and the size and content of leucite remain almost unchanged in the range. The average size of leucite in the dental porcelain prepared by the mixture of low‐temperature frit and the material is about 115 nm, which would benefit PFM's strength.