Water sorption of heat-polymerized acrylic resins processed in mono and bimaxillary flasks

This study evaluated water sorption in heat-polymerized acrylic resins processed in monomaxillary flasks by water bath and in bimaxillary flasks by microwave energy and water bath. Fifty heat-polymerized acrylic resin specimens were fabricated according to the 12th specification of the American Dental Association and assigned to 3 groups: group 1 was processed by water bath in monomaxillary metallic flask; group 2 was processed by microwave energy in bimaxillary PVC flask; and group 3 was processed by water bath in bimaxillary metallic flask. Specimens were submitted to water sorption test, means were calculated and analyzed statistically by Student's t-test. Means (in g/cm3) were: group 1--0.024085, group 2--0.025312 and group 3--0.022098. Microwave energy processing and the amount of stone and resin used in the bimaxillary PVC flask did not influence water sorption; specimens processed in bimaxillary metallic flask by water bath presented lower water sorption means, suggesting an inadequate polymerization of the acrylic resin mass.