Effect of glass-fiber reinforcement and water storage on fracture toughness (KIC) of polymer-based provisional crown and FPD materials.

PURPOSE

The effect of glass-fiber reinforcement and water storage on the fracture toughness (KIC) of polymer-based provisional crown and fixed partial denture (FPD) materials was investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Five unreinforced single-edged, notched control specimens and five test specimens reinforced with unidirectional E-glass fibers (Stick) were fabricated from three dimethacrylate-based provisional materials and one monomethacrylate-based provisional material. The specimens were stored in water at 37 degrees C for 1, 7, 30, or 60 days. Specimens were loaded in three-point bending at a cross-head speed of 0.1 mm/s. Mode I plane-strain KIC was calculated using the maximum load, and results of the two groups were compared. The water storage effect on KIC with time was also evaluated.

RESULTS

The KIC of provisional materials reinforced with glass fibers (range 7.5 to 13.8 MNm(-1.5)) was significantly higher than that of unreinforced materials (range 1.3 to 3.1 MNm(-1.5)), by a factor of 4.4 to 5.5. A small, gradual decrease of KIC in reinforced specimens occurred with aqueous storage, but it was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

The KIC of polymer-based provisional crown and FPD materials was significantly increased when they were reinforced with unidirectional E-glass fibers. Water storage for up to 2 months still left the reinforced materials with KIC values in excess of 7 MNm(-1.5). Hence, their performance was satisfactory.