Adhesive properties of several impression material systems: Part I.

The tensile adhesive bond strength of five impression adhesive systems was studied: polysulfide, polyether, polyvinylsiloxane, condensation silicone impression, and polyvinylsiloxane putty adhesive systems. Results showed no significant difference in adhesive bond strength to autopolymerizing acrylic resin between the former four impression materials studied. Polyether and medium-viscosity polyvinylsiloxane demonstrated significantly higher adhesive bond strength to polystyrene than either polysulfide or condensation silicone. The medium-viscosity polyvinylsiloxane impression material showed significantly higher adhesive bond strength to polystyrene than autopolymerizing acrylic resin whereas polysulfide and condensation silicone impression materials adhered significantly better to autopolymerizing acrylic resin than polystyrene. The polyvinylsiloxane putty did not adhere to its impression adhesive. Variation of the speed of tensile testing between 5 to 20 inches per minutes did not affect the adhesive bond strength of a polysulfide impression material.