The effect of glass fiber distribution on the transverse strength and surface smoothness of two denture resins

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of glass fiber distribution on the transverse strength and surface smoothness of conventional heat cured acrylic and autopolymerizing acrylic of an injection-molding system. Forty rectangular (65x10x2.5 mm) acrylic test specimens were prepared from both acrylic types: 10 with 5% (w/w) 6 rum length fiber and 10 without fiber for both groups. Transverse strength test was applied to these specimens. Surface samples were taken from the broken and polished surfaces of these specimens and evaluated using SEM. The addition of fiber was found to cause a statistically significant increase in the transverse strength of the injection system's acrylic. In SEM observation it was revealed that there was good adhesion between glass fiber and both acrylic resins. The glass fibers distribution was more even in the injection system's acrylic. It is suggested that injection system's acrylic be fiber-reinforced to reduce denture fractures.