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Further observations on high impact strength denture-base materials.
1Dental School, Royal London Hospital Medical College, UK.
Biomaterials
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Grafting of block copolymers improves poly(methyl methacrylate) impact strength. Solvent extraction reveals grafting occurs with both acrylic-terminated and non-terminated copolymers, suggesting different grafting mechanisms are at play.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Science
- Materials Science
- Biomaterials Engineering
Background:
- Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is a common denture base material.
- Previous research indicated acrylic-terminated butadiene-styrene block copolymers enhance PMMA impact strength.
- The acrylic end-group was previously thought essential for this reinforcement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the grafting mechanism of butadiene-styrene block copolymers in PMMA.
- To determine if non-terminated block copolymers also graft onto PMMA.
- To elucidate the role of end-groups in copolymer grafting and reinforcement.
Main Methods:
- Modification of poly(methyl methacrylate) with acrylic-terminated and non-terminated butadiene-styrene block copolymers.
- Solvent extraction studies to detect and quantify copolymer grafting onto the PMMA matrix.
Main Results:
- Grafting of the block copolymer was confirmed to occur with both acrylic-terminated and non-terminated versions.
- The presence of acrylic end-groups is not the sole factor enabling copolymer grafting.
- Evidence suggests distinct grafting mechanisms operate depending on the copolymer's end-group structure.
Conclusions:
- The mode of grafting for butadiene-styrene block copolymers onto PMMA differs based on end-group termination.
- Further investigation into the specific grafting mechanisms is warranted.
- Understanding these mechanisms can optimize the reinforcement of PMMA for improved material properties.