Properties of model E-glass fiber composites with varying matrix monomer ratios

To evaluate properties of fiber-reinforced-composites (FRC) containing Bis-EMA/UDMA monomers but identical dispersed phase (60% wt BaSi glass power +10% wt E-glass fibre).

A control (Group A), monomer mixture comprising 60% Bis-GMA, 30% TEGDMA, and 10% PMMA (typical FRC monomers) was used. The following monomer mass fractions were mixed: 50% bis-GMA plus 50% of different ratios of Bis-EMA+UDMA to produce consistent formulations (Groups B-E) of workable viscosities was also studied. Flexural strength (FS), fracture toughness (K_IC), water sorption (SP), solubility (SL) and hygroscopic expansion (HE) were measured. FS and K_IC specimens were stored for 1, 7 d, and 30 d in water at 37 °C. SP/SL specimens were water-immersed for 168d, weighed at intervals, then dried for 84 d at 37 °C. To analyze differences in FS, and K_IC, a two-way ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc tests (α = 0.05) were conducted. For SP/SL, and HE, one-way ANOVA with subsequent Tukey post-hoc tests (α = 0.05) were utilized.

FS and K_IC for groups A, D, E decreased progressively after 1 d. Groups B and C (highest amounts of Bis-EMA) did not decrease significantly. The modified matrix composites performed significantly better than the control group for SP and HE. The control group outperformed the experimental composites only for SL with up to 250% higher SL for group E (6.9 μg/mm) but still below the maximum permissible threshold of 7.5 μg/mm.

EXPERIMENTAL: composites with highest amounts of Bis-EMA showed improved hydrolytic stability and overall enhancement in several clinically-relevant properties. This makes them potential candidates for alternative matrices to a semi-interpenetrating network in fiber-reinforced composites.