The relationships between filler type, filler content, matrix resin composition and viscosity and the flow characteristics of composite paste formulations have been investigated. BIS-GMA and 10 experimental BIS-GMA analogues were diluted as needed with TEGDMA to produce 1000 and 2000 cp solutions corresponding to the viscosity range of commercial composite matrices. All of these resins were mixed with a silanated hybrid-filler and a silanated micro-filler. For each combination the maximum filler content was determined, as well as the paste consistencies (plasticities) at a series of filler contents. Paste consistencies were measured by a modification of the ADA specification methods developed for determining standard test consistencies for zinc phosphate and silicate cements. For each monomer-filler combination increasing filler contents resulted in monotonically reduced plasticities. The maximum filler contents appeared to be an attribute of the particular filler rather than matrix resin characteristics. For the materials used, the maximum contents were approximately 86 wt% (83 vol%) filler for the hybrid filler, and 36% wt% (24 vol%) for the microfilled material. At lower filler contents, plasticity differences unexpectedly existed even at equal filler contents and matrix viscosities. Evidence was found that the plasticity varied both with the base monomer composition and the amount of TEGDMA present. The results imply that compositional interactions between the filler and matrix influence the results when all known mechanical factors are controlled.

Absorption↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Water uptake of soft lining materials from osmotic solutions.

OBJECTIVES: The water uptake characteristics of soft lining materials are of obvious importance in that they are expected to function in the oral environment. Results for Novus (Hygenic Corp., Akron, OH, USA) show a very high uptake from distilled water. Despite this high uptake, Novus appears to function satisfactorily in the mouth. High water uptake of soft lining materials has been attributed to the presence of water soluble impurities that, on immersion, form solution droplets; the driving force for the uptake being the osmotic gradient between the droplets and the external solution. Uptake should therefore be less from ionic solutions. The object of this study was to test the applicability of this theory to Novus and two experimental soft lining materials. METHODS: Water uptake of two experimental materials and Novus has been determined from distilled water and two saline solutions (0.45 and 0.9 M). After 196 days specimens were desorbed to constant weight and then subjected to a second sorption cycle. RESULTS: Novus had the highest uptake from distilled water at approximately 18%, the experimental materials having an uptake approximately 7%. Desorptions were all rapid, minimum weight being reached within 1-2 days. Uptakes of the second sorptions from water were all higher. Uptake from saline solutions was approximately 12% for all materials, uptake from 0.9 M saline being the lowest. Second sorption results from solution were similar to the first. CONCLUSION: The results obtained support the theory that the high water uptake of elastomeric materials is osmotically driven.

Adsorption↗

PubMedDate not supplied