Strong composites of dimethylacrylates with 4-methacryloxyethyl trimellitic anhydride

Particles of a lithium aluminum silicate, which had been treated with a silane coupling agent, were centrifuged either in an adduct of bisphenol-A/glycidyl methacrylate (Bis-GMA) or in a mixture of Bis--GMA and methyl methacrylate. Polymerization was effected by heating with 2,5-dimethyl-hexane-2,5-dihydroperoxide. Flexural strength passed through an optimum value with increasing loading of the silicate. Inclusion of 4-methacryloxyethyl trimellitic anhydride, 4-META (5 wt % on monomer), increased the optimum flexural strength by about 20% (to 240 MPa). Evidence that 4-META increased the adhesion of filler particles to the polymeric matrix was obtained by examination of fracture surfaces.