Effects of solvent drying time and water storage on ultimate tensile strength of adhesives.

AIM

Simplified adhesives are a blend of monomers with solvents that are expected to evaporate before light curing. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of drying time and water storage on the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of three adhesives: Adper Single Bond 2 (ASB), One-Step Plus (OSP) and Clearfil S(3) Bond (CSB).

METHODS

Dumbbell-shaped samples from each adhesive were prepared in three groups: (a) air drying prior to light curing; (b) no drying equal to active air drying; and (c) 3-h drying. Each group was further divided into two subgroups of no storage or 7 days' water storage, prior to the UTS measurement (n = 10).

RESULTS

Material, drying-time, and storage had a significant effect on UTS, and the interactions of the factors were also significant (P < 0.05). OSP showed a higher evaporation rate under passive air drying, and OSP and CSB showed higher UTS values compared to ASB (P < 0.05). Air drying improved UTS in OSP and CSB, but not in ASB. Likewise, water storage only affected the UTS of OSP and CSB.

CONCLUSIONS

The effects of air drying and water storage period on UTS are material dependent. Whenever solvent evaporation improved the UTS of adhesive, water storage decreased it. The all-in-one self-etching adhesive can maximize its best properties when the solvent is dried for an extended period.