Abstract
Two commercial and four experimental composites were subjected to post-cure heat treatments of 10 min and 3 h duration immediately after light-curing. Fracture toughness, flexural modulus, microhardness and degree of conversion (FTIR) were evaluated 24 h later. The results showed that post-cure heat treatments at 120°C of short or long duration can be used to produce significant improvements in the degree of cure and the mechanical properties of dental composites used as inlays. A 10 min heat treatment was as effective as a 3 h treatment in enhancing properties and degree of cure. In addition, a 3 h heat treatment carried out 7 days after the initial light-curing was capable of improving properties and cure to almost the same extent as the immediate heat treatments. The improvement in properties, in conjunction with the fractography, indicate a toughening of the filled resin matrix and possibly an improved filler/matrix adhesion in the microfills. The changes appear to be predominantly the result of an increase in degree of cure.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 290-295 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Dental Materials |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Sep 1992 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Materials Science
- General Dentistry
- Mechanics of Materials