Browsing by Subject "PMMA"

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    Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of Provisional Fixed Partial Denture PMMA Material Containing Alumina Nanofibers
    (2012) Hajjaj, Maher Saeed, 1980-; Chu, Tien-Min Gabriel; Brown, David T.; Platt, Jeffrey A., 1958-; Paez de Mendoza, Carmen Y.; Levon, John A.
    Provisional restorative treatment is an essential part of fixed prosthodontics. Incorporation of adequately constructed provisional restorations will enhance the success rate of definitive restorations. Repairing or replacing failed provisional restorations is a concern for both clinicians and patients. The objective of this investigation was to study the effects of alumina nanofibers reinforcement on the mechanical properties of commercially available provisional fixed partial denture PMMA material. The hypothesis was that the addition of alumina nanofibers to commercially available PMMA resin will significantly increase its flexural strength, fracture toughness, and microhardness. Alumina nanofibers at 0.0 wt %, 0.5 wt %, 1.0 wt %, and 2.5 wt % were added to commercially available provisional fixed partial material (Jet Tooth Shade). A quaternary ammonium acetate dispersant (CC-59, Goldschmidt, Janesville, WI) was added to the acrylic monomer at 0.0 wt %, 1.0 wt %, 2.0 wt % and 5.0 wt % of the nanofiber weight (12 test groups, 1 control). Samples from each group were evaluated for flexural strength, flexural modulus, fracture toughness, and microhardness. The samples were tested after storing in distilled water for 24 hours and 7 days at 37ºC. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test the effects of storage time and combinations of alumina nanofiber level and quaternary ammonium acetate dispersant level on the flexural strength, fracture toughness, and microhardness of the provisional PMMA resin. Pair-wise comparisons between groups were performed using Tukey’s multiple comparisons procedure to control the overall significance level at 5 percent. Three fracture toughness samples/group were randomly selected for Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (EDS) to qualitatively evaluate the dispersion of the fibers. The data obtained from this study showed that control sample values were in the acceptance range compared with previous research. The experimental samples did not reinforce the provisional resin in the flexural strength, modulus, fracture toughness, or microhardness. There are several factors may attribute to these results, such as poor bonding at the filler/matrix interface. The more homogeneous the mixture of PMMA and fiber, the stronger the acrylic resin. In fact, the presence of poorly bonded fibers, to which little load is transferred, can be almost equivalent to voids. In addition, as seen with EDS images, alumina nanofibers had a tendency to agglomerate. The use of a magnetic stirrer was not effective in physically separating nanofibers agglomerates. Direct dispersion of alumina nanofibers in methyl methacrylate monomer and quaternary ammonium acetate dispersant was not effective in separating the nanofibers into nano-scaled single crystals. The presence of fiber agglomerates acts as a structural defect that detrimentally affects the mechanical properties. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of fibers, dispersion techniques, and coupling agents to enhance the mechanical properties of the provisional PMMA resin.
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    Mechanical properties evaluation of denture base PMMA enhanced with single- walled carbon nanotubes
    (2010) Scotti, Kevin; Chu, Tien-Min Gabriel; Paez de Mendoza, Carmen Y.; Andres, Carl J., 1942-; Levon, John A.; Hovijitra, Suteena, 1944-
    Recent theoretical and experimental studies, suggest that Carbon nanotubes are 10-100 times higher than the strongest steel at a fraction of the weight. There are two main types of CNTs that can have high structural perfection. Single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) consist of a single graphite sheet seamlessly wrapped into a cylindrical tube. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) comprise an array of such nanotubes concentrically nested like rings of a tree trunk. Denture base acrylics have been reinforced with different materials with limited success. No single reinforced material has showed a great statistical difference in mechanical improvement. The goal of this investigation was to study the effects of Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes reinforcement on the mechanical properties of commercially available denture base PMMA. Denture Base material was reinforced with Single-walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWNTs) at dispersion of 0.25 wt % (group 1), 0.50 wt % (group 2), 0.75 wt % (group 3) and 0.0 wt % (group 4, control). Samples from each group were evaluated for microhardness, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and fracture toughness. The samples were tested in two conditions, as manufactured (dry) and after storing at 37 C for 7 days (wet). Data from four experiments was analyzed by ANOVA. All control sample values were in the range of acceptance compared with previous studies. Higher values were obtained for the control groups for flexural strength and modulus compared with the experimental samples. (p < 0.05) There was no statistical difference regarding fracture toughness between control and experimental groups. A statistical difference was observed in Hardness. The experimental group showed higher values under compression.