Influence of filler type and water exposure on flexural strength of experimental composite resins

The objective of this investigation was to determine the influence of water exposure on the flexural strength of three experimental composite materials. The composites consisted of an experimental resin system which contained silane-treated filler particles of quartz, barium glass, and porous silica. The amorphous silica particles were spheres approximately 5 micron in diameter. In addition to the different composites, pure resin samples were investigated as a control group. The results of this investigation did not support the hypothesis that use of porous amorphous silica filler particles reduced the hydrolytic degradation effect of composites containing such silica particles. Instead, the results indicated that water may have a more detrimental effect on the strength of the matrix than on the filler-matrix interface. However, the relatively high frequency of fracture lines in the porous silica particles after storage in water indicate that water had a weakening effect on this type of filler.