The effect of inhibitor and initiator concentration on degree of conversion, flexural strength and polymerization shrinkage stress on resin-matrix composite

Abstract

Polymerization shrinkage is one of the most significant problems associated with resin-matrix composite. Shrinkage results in contraction stress in the resin, leading to possible debonding in certain areas of the adhesive joint and potentially adversely affecting the bond strength. The reduction in the stress may improve the adaptation of the resin restoration, and decrease the problems that are associated with contraction stress, such as postoperative pain and recurrent caries. Recently, it has been found that varying the inhibitor concentration would reduce the polymerization shrinkage without affecting mechanical properties. In this study, we investigated the effects of varying the initiator and initiator levels on polymerization shrinkage stress, strength, and degree of conversion. An experimental composite was prepared by using a blend of BisGMA: UDMA: TEGMA (1:1:1 weight ratio) with 70 wt% silanated glass fillers. Four levels of inhibitors (BHT 0.0 %, 2%, 6%, 20%) and initiators (CQ 2%, 6%, 20%, 60%) were used (total of 16 combinations). A tensiometer was used to measure the polymerization contraction stress, contraction stress rate and gel time for each resin. FTIR was used to measure the degree of conversion. The flexural strength and flexural modulus were determined using the three-point bending test. Resin-matrix composite with 0.0-percent BHT and 2.0-percent CQ showed the highest contraction stress and stress rate and the shortest gel time, while resin-matrix composite with the 6.0-percent BHT and 6-percent CQ showed the lowest contraction stress and stress rate and the longest gel time. At an extremely high concentrations of CQ (20 percent and 60 percent) and high BHT concentration (20 percent) low degree of conversion values were observed. Overall, from the collected data, group F (2-percent BHT and 6-percent CQ) and G (6-percent BHT and 6-percent CQ) provide the most desirable combination of strength (above 80 MPa) and stress (below 3 MPa) are present as a potential dose combination range of CQ and BHT. In conclusion, the effect of inhibitors and initiators appears to change in different resin formulation. Increasing the levels of both the inhibitor and the initiator decrease the polymerization contraction stress and stress rate, and the impact on the conversion is unpredictable. In this study, we found a decrease in both the conversion value and depth of cure.