silicon-nitride and triethylene-glycol-dimethacrylate

Resin composites must be improved if they are to overcome the high failure rates in large stress-bearing posterior restorations. This study aimed to improve wear resistance via nano-silica-fused whiskers. It was hypothesized that nano-silica-fused whiskers would significantly improve composite mechanical properties and wear resistance. Nano-silicas were fused onto whiskers and incorporated into a resin at mass fractions of 0%-74%. Fracture toughness (mean +/- SD; n = 6) was 2.92 +/- 0.14 MPa.m(1/2) for whisker composite with 74% fillers, higher than 1.13 +/- 0.19 MPa.m(1/2) for a prosthetic control, and 0.95 +/- 0.11 MPa.m(1/2) for an inlay/onlay control (Tukey's at 0.95). A whisker composite with 74% fillers had a wear depth of 77.7 +/- 6.9 mum, less than 118.0 +/- 23.8 microm of an inlay/onlay control, and 172.5 +/- 15.4 microm of a prosthetic control (p < 0.05). Linear correlations were established between wear and hardness, modulus, strength, and toughness, with R = 0.95-0.97. Novel nano-silica-fused whisker composites possessed high toughness and wear resistance with smooth worn surfaces, and may be useful in large stress-bearing restorations.

Topics: Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate; Composite Resins; Dental Restoration Wear; Elasticity; Glass Ionomer Cements; Hardness; Humans; Materials Testing; Methacrylates; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Nanostructures; Particle Size; Polyethylene Glycols; Polymethacrylic Acids; Polymethyl Methacrylate; Polyurethanes; Silanes; Silicate Cement; Silicon Compounds; Silicon Dioxide; Stress, Mechanical; Surface Properties

Long-term water exposure may degrade polymer-matrix composites. This study investigated the water-aging of whisker composites. It was hypothesized that whiskers would provide stable and substantial reinforcement, and that whisker type would affect water-aging resistance. Silica-fused Si(3)N(4) and SiC whiskers were incorporated into a resin. The specimens were tested by three-point flexure and nano-indentation vs. water-aging for 1 to 730 days. After 730 days, SiC composite had a strength (mean +/- SD; n = 6) of 185 +/- 33 MPa, similar to 146 +/- 44 MPa for Si(3)N(4) composite (p = 0.064); both were significantly higher than 67 +/- 23 MPa for an inlay/onlay control (p < 0.001). Compared with 1 day, the strength of the SiC composite showed no decrease, while that of the Si(3)N(4) composite decreased. The decrease was due to whisker weakening rather than to resin degradation or interface breakdown. Whisker composites also had higher moduli than the controls. In conclusion, silica-fused whiskers bonded to polymer matrix and resisted long-term water attack, resulting in much stronger composites than the controls after water-aging.

Topics: Analysis of Variance; Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate; Carbon Compounds, Inorganic; Ceramics; Composite Resins; Dental Materials; Dental Porcelain; Elasticity; Glass Ionomer Cements; Hardness; Humans; Materials Testing; Methacrylates; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Pliability; Polyethylene Glycols; Polymers; Polymethacrylic Acids; Polyurethanes; Silicate Cement; Silicon Compounds; Silicon Dioxide; Statistics as Topic; Stress, Mechanical; Surface Properties; Time Factors; Water

The strength and toughness of dental core buildup composites in large stress-bearing restorations need to be improved to reduce the incidence of fracture due to stresses from chewing and clenching. The aims of the present study were to develop novel core buildup composites reinforced with ceramic whiskers, to examine the effect of filler level, and to investigate the reinforcement mechanisms. Silica particles were fused onto the whiskers to facilitate silanization and to roughen the whisker surface for improved retention in the matrix. Filler level was varied from 0 to 70%. Flexural strength, compressive strength, and fracture toughness of the composites were measured. A nano-indentation system was used to measure elastic modulus and hardness. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the fracture surfaces of specimens. Whisker filler level had significant effects on composite properties. The flexural strength in MPa (mean +/- SD; n = 6) increased from (95+/-15) for the unfilled resin to (193+/- 8) for the composite with 50% filler level, then slightly decreased to (176+/-12) at 70% filler level. The compressive strength increased from (149+/-33) for the unfilled resin to (282+/-48) at 10% filler level, and remained equivalent from 10 to 70% filler level. Both the modulus and hardness increased monotonically with filler level. In conclusion, silica particle-fused ceramic single-crystalline whiskers significantly reinforced dental core buildup composites. The reinforcement mechanisms appeared to be crack deflection and bridging by the whiskers. Whisker filler level had significant effects on the flexural strength, compressive strength, elastic modulus, and hardness of composites.

Topics: Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate; Butylated Hydroxytoluene; Ceramics; Composite Resins; Compressive Strength; Dental Restoration, Permanent; Elasticity; Hardness; Materials Testing; Methacrylates; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Pliability; Polyethylene Glycols; Polymethacrylic Acids; Powders; Silanes; Silicon Compounds; Silicon Dioxide; Stress, Mechanical; Toluidines