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Mechanical properties of direct and post-cured composites
M Eldiwany1, J M Powers, L A George
1Department of Operative Dentistry, University or Texas Health Science Center at Houston 77030-3402.
American Journal of Dentistry
|October 1, 1993
Summary
Post-curing enhances some dental composite mechanical properties like Knoop hardness and diametral tensile strength. However, compressive strength and modulus of elasticity showed limited improvement in this study.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Dental Materials Science
Background:
- Dental composites are widely used restorative materials.
- Optimizing their mechanical properties is crucial for longevity.
- Post-curing protocols may influence material performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of post-curing on the surface and bulk mechanical properties of dental composites.
- To compare the performance of composites under different curing conditions.
Main Methods:
- Seven different dental composites were tested.
- Surface properties measured included Knoop hardness and diametral tensile strength.
- Bulk properties assessed were compressive strength and modulus of elasticity.
- Materials were subjected to light-curing only versus light-curing plus post-curing.
Main Results:
- Post-curing significantly improved Knoop hardness (7-46%) and diametral tensile strength (15-39%) in some composites.
- Compressive strength did not improve with post-curing in any composite.
- Modulus of elasticity showed improvement in only two of the tested composites.
Conclusions:
- Post-curing can enhance specific surface mechanical properties of certain dental composites.
- The benefits of post-curing are material-dependent and do not universally improve all mechanical characteristics.
- Further research is needed to optimize post-curing strategies for various composite formulations.