Hardness tests in highly filled composite resins.

The hardness of seven proprietary, light-cured, posterior composite resins was evaluated by three different hardness testers: the Knoop hardness tester, the Barcol indenter and the Rockwell 15T hardness meter. Specimens were measured after light-curing and 24-hour immersion in 37 degrees C water. Barcol hardness numbers ranged from 79.2 to 85.0. The Rockwell 15T hardness data had a range from 73.3 to 80.3 and the Knoop hardness numbers varied from 39.9 to 79.0. Relatively small variations were determined between results of Barcol hardness numbers and Rockwell 15T hardness data. Great variation was revealed in the results from Knoop hardness numbers. According to the dimensions of the indentations, the results of Barcol and Rockwell hardness represent the bulky part of tested composites rather than superficial hardness. Knoop hardness testing is found to be relatively feasible and a suitable measurement for the determination of superficial hardness of highly filled composite resins.