Finite Element Analysis of a Dumbbell-Shaped ZCAS Glass-Ceramic: Stress Distribution and Compressive Performance Evaluation Using COMSOL Multiphysics

Abstract

Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using COMSOL Multiphysics 6.2 was performed to assess the compressive mechanical behavior of a dumbbell-shaped Zinc-Calcium-Aluminosilicate (ZCAS) glass-ceramic. A 3D axisymmetric model, 20 mm in total length with top and bottom diameters of 10 mm and an internal wall gap of 2 mm, was created to simulate a hollow, bone-like implant structure. The material was defined as a linear elastic isotropic glass with a young’s modulus of 70 GPa and a Poisson’s ratio of 0.25. A uniaxial compressive load of 20 kN was applied to the top surface, while the bottom surface was fully fixed. The simulation results indicated a maximum axial displacement at the loaded boundary, with greater deformation observed as the wall gap increased. Peak von Mises stress was concentrated in the necked region and inner curvatures, reaching magnitudes on the order of 10² MPa, which aligned closely with analytical estimates. The stress distribution maintained circumferential uniformity due to the axisymmetric model, confirming a primarily uniaxial compressive state. Parametric studies showed that increasing the specimen width lowered peak stress, while enlarging the wall gap considerably intensified localized stress concentrations. These findings indicate that ZCAS glass can endure extreme compressive loads, well beyond typical physiological levels, while behaving elastically, provided its geometric transitions are properly optimized. This study provides a quantitative computational basis for the structural design optimization of ZCAS glass-ceramic implants before physical manufacturing.