Mechanical properties evaluation of denture base PMMA enhanced with single- walled carbon nanotubes

Abstract

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.