Dynamic viscoelastic properties of processed soft denture liners: Part I--Initial properties.

This research evaluated the dynamic viscoelastic properties of 12 laboratory-processed soft denture liners. Specimens, 1.4 x 3 x 40 mm, were prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions. Five specimens of each material were tested under applied strain frequencies of 1, 5, or 10 Hz and temperatures of 23 degrees C and 37 degrees C. The values at 37 degrees C and 1 Hz were judged most important because they closely approximate the service environment; therefore material comparisons were made for these conditions. Samples were tested with a custom-made dynamic viscoelastometer. The statistical significance of the results was tested by ANOVA and Scheffe's intervals test. Large differences in the storage modulus (elastic stiffness) were found. One acrylic resin, Verno-Soft, showed significantly higher storage moduli than the other materials. The viscous behavior of the materials was reflected by the loss modulus; here large differences were also found. Verno-Soft again exhibited much higher values than all of the other materials. Three other acrylic resins (Super Soft, Soft-Pak, and Justi Soft) also showed significantly higher loss moduli than the other materials. Significant differences were found in the damping factor between many of the materials. Most of the acrylic and vinyl resins had higher damping factors than the silicone and polyphosphazine rubbers. The values of the storage moduli, loss moduli, and the damping factor were affected by temperature and by applied strain frequency with some materials.