Berenika Hausnerova

Effect of the irradiance distribution from light curing units on the local micro-hardness of the surface of dental resins.

OBJECTIVE An inhomogeneous irradiance distribution from a light-curing unit (LCU) can locally cause inhomogeneous curing with locally inadequately cured and/or over-cured areas causing e.g. monomer elution or internal shrinkage stresses, and thus reduce the lifetime of dental resin based composite (RBC) restorations. The aim of the study is to determine both the irradiance distribution of two light curing units (LCUs) and its influence on the local mechanical properties of a RBC. METHODS Specimens of Arabesk TOP OA2 were irradiated for 5, 20, and 80s using a Bluephase® 20i LCU in the Low mode (666mW/cm(2)), in the Turbo mode (2222mW/cm(2)) and a Celalux® 2 (1264mW/cm(2)). The degree of conversion (DC) was determined with an ATR-FTIR. The Knoop micro-hardness (average of five specimens) was measured on the specimen surface after 24h of dark and dry storage at room temperature. RESULTS The irradiance distribution affected the hardness distribution across the surface of the specimens. The hardness distribution corresponded well to the inhomogeneous irradiance distributions of the LCU. The highest reaction rates occurred after approximately 2s light exposure. A DC of 40% was reached after 3.6 or 5.7s, depending on the LCU. The inhomogeneous hardness distribution was still evident after 80s of light exposure. SIGNIFICANCE The irradiance distribution from a LCU is reflected in the hardness distribution across the surface. Irradiance level of the LCU and light exposure time do not affect the pattern of the hardness distribution--only the hardness level. In areas of low irradiation this may result in inadequate resin polymerization, poor physical properties, and hence premature failure of the restorations as they are usually much smaller than the investigated specimens. It has to be stressed that inhomogeneous does not necessarily mean poor if in all areas of the restoration enough light intensity is introduced to achieve a high degree of cure.

Temperature-dependent instabilities in the capillary flow of a metallocene linear low-density polyethylene melt

The capillary flow behavior of a metallocene linear low-density polyethylene was studied in a wide temperature range. The critical shear stress for the onset of the unstable spurt flow was found to be dependent on temperature in a nonlinear fashion and it showed a minimum value at a critical temperature, at which unusually long period pressure oscillations were observed. For temperatures above the critical one, the observed decrease of the critical shear stress with decreasing temperature is explained on the basis of an increase in the distance between entanglements. At temperatures below the critical one, the increase in the critical shear stress and the eventual suppression of pressure oscillations as the temperature is further decreased are suggested to be the result of a flow-induced phase change that ends on complete crystallization and suppression of flow. The flow-induced crystallization phenomenon and the extrudate quality were dependent on the contraction ratio. Elimination of surface extrudate d...

Curing kinetics of visible light curing dental resin composites investigated by dielectric analysis (DEA)

During the curing process of light curing dental composites the mobility of molecules and molecule segments is reduced leading to a significant increase of the viscosity as well as the ion viscosity. Thus, the kinetics of the curing behavior of 6 different composites was derived from dielectric analysis (DEA) using especially redesigned flat sensors with interdigit comb electrodes allowing for irradiation at the top side and measuring the ion viscosity at the bottom side. As the ion viscosities of dental composites change 1-3 orders of magnitude during the curing process, DEA provides a sensitive approach to evaluate their curing behavior, especially in the phase of undisturbed chain growth. In order to determine quantitative kinetic parameters a kinetic model is presented and examined for the evaluation of the ion viscosity curves. From the obtained results it is seen that DEA might be employed in the investigation of the primary curing process, the quality assurance of ingredients as well as the control of processing stability of the light curing dental composites.

Examining exposure reciprocity in a resin based composite using high irradiance levels and real-time degree of conversion values

OBJECTIVE Exposure reciprocity suggests that, as long as the same radiant exposure is delivered, different combinations of irradiance and exposure time will achieve the same degree of resin polymerization. This study examined the validity of exposure reciprocity using real time degree of conversion results from one commercial flowable dental resin. Additionally a new fitting function to describe the polymerization kinetics is proposed. METHODS A Plasma Arc Light Curing Unit (LCU) was used to deliver 0.75, 1.2, 1.5, 3.7 or 7.5 W/cm(2) to 2mm thick samples of Tetric EvoFlow (Ivoclar Vivadent). The irradiances and radiant exposures received by the resin were determined using an integrating sphere connected to a fiber-optic spectrometer. The degree of conversion (DC) was recorded at a rate of 8.5 measurements a second at the bottom of the resin using attenuated total reflectance Fourier Transform mid-infrared spectroscopy (FT-MIR). Five specimens were exposed at each irradiance level. The DC reached after 170s and after 5, 10 and 15 J/cm(2) had been delivered was compared using analysis of variance and Fishers PLSD post hoc multiple comparison tests (alpha=0.05). RESULTS The same DC values were not reached after the same radiant exposures of 5, 10 and 15 J/cm(2) had been delivered at an irradiance of 3.7 and 7.5 W/cm(2). Thus exposure reciprocity was not supported for Tetric EvoFlow (p<0.05). SIGNIFICANCE For Tetric EvoFlow, there was no significant difference in the DC when 5, 10 and 15J/cm(2) were delivered at irradiance levels of 0.75, 1.2 and 1.5 W/cm(2). The optimum combination of irradiance and exposure time for this commercial dental resin may be close to 1.5 W/cm(2) for 12s.

Effect of Interfacial Interaction on Properties of Gamma Ray-Irradiated High Density Polyethylene Reinforced by Sericite-Tridymite-Cristobalite

A Gamma-ray irradiation was employed to modify high density polyethyelene (HDPE) in order to impart poor interfacial interaction between hydrophobic matrix and hydrophilic Sericite-Tridymite-Cristobalite (STC) filler. The STC filler was further treated with a silane coupling agent. The FTIR, SEM and rheological observations confirmed enhanced interactions between oxygen containing groups on the irradiated matrix (γ-HDPE) and NH2 groups of silane-treated filler (t-STC), resulting in improved mechanical properties of the composites (10 times in case of impact strength). The parameter of the theoretical model used characterizing interfacial interaction increased from 2.69 for HDPE/STC up to4 for irradiated and surface treated material.

Rheology and fiber degradation during shear flow of carbon-fiber-reinforced polypropylenes

The processing of fiber-reinforced thermoplastics is often accompanied by a significant fiber fracture. Therefore, it is important to assess the effect of processing variables on the extent of fiber damage occurring during product fabrication, such as extrusion or injection molding. The present paper discusses fiber damage caused by shear forces exerted on the composite by a molten matrix in both experimental and theoretical terms. The degradation process in carbon fiber-polypropylene composites is studied in a broad range of shear rates, although it occurs significantly only under high shearing in a capillary. Changes in fiber length and its distribution during the multi-flow through a capillary, as well as the materials’ rheological properties found in research after shearing, are discussed and the results are compared with a model of fiber-length analysis for the mixing-regrinding process.

Polyolefin Backbone Substitution in Binders for Low Temperature Powder Injection Moulding Feedstocks

This paper reports the substitution of polyolefin backbone binder components with low melting temperature carnauba wax for powder injection moulding applications. The effect of various binder compositions of Al2O3 feedstock on thermal degradation parameters is investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. Within the experimental framework 29 original feedstock compositions were prepared and the superiority of carnauba wax over the polyethylene binder backbone was demonstrated in compositions containing polyethylene glycol as the initial opening agent and governing the proper mechanism of the degradation process. Moreover, the replacement of synthetic polymer by the natural wax contributes to an increase of environmental sustainability of modern industrial technologies.

The Role of Powder Particle Size Distribution in the Processability of Powder Injection Molding Compounds

The role of particle size distribution of hard-metal carbide powder compounds in structural changes caused by shear deformation is investigated via their response to dynamic viscoelastic strain. Materials employed in the study are intended for the production of sintered carbide components via powder injection molding. Four grades of hard-metal carbide powders differing in their particle size distribution were mixed thoroughly with a polymer binder containing low-density polyethylene, ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer, and paraffin wax. From the results, it can be concluded that powder particle size distribution dominantly influences not only the magnitude of viscoelastic functions of highly filled compounds, but also their cause. As the demands on powder characteristics arising from the particular steps of powder injection molding are contradictory, thermogravimetric analysis was used as a complementary method for the investigation of the role of particle size distribution during debinding and sintering.

Effect of diisocyanates on the properties and morphology of epoxy/polyurethane interpenetrating polymer networks

The present work investigates the effect of epoxy resin (EP) modification with polyurethanes (PURs) based on polyethylene glycol and two different diisocyanates: 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (TDI). The impact strength of the material based on 15 wt% PUR with TDI was enhanced by 130%, while the critical stress intensity factor and the flexural strength of epoxy composition based on 5 wt% PUR with MDI increased by approximately 140% in comparison with unmodified EP. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the occurrence of chemical reaction between the hydroxyl groups of EP and isocyanate groups of PUR, explaining the improvement in the mechanical properties of EP. Moreover, scanning electron micrographs showed a rough surface with plastic yielding and several microcracks in the compositions containing TDI-based PUR and deformed leaf-like morphology with more elongated structure for the EP modified with MDI-based PUR.

Rheological behaviour of PP/PET and modified PP/PET blends. I. Steady state flow properties

Both polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) constitute a significant portion of post-consumer waste. To improve the recycling of immiscible PP/PET blends, a compatibiliser should be utilised. The steady shear flow properties of unmodified and modified PP/PET blends having up to 50 wt.% PET were investigated and compared in this study. Three types of PPs with different flow properties were used to ascertain the influence of the matrix on the blends rheology. The effect of modification on the rheological properties was evaluated in two ways - firstly, the addition of 1 wt.% of maleic anhydride (MA), and secondly, the use of already modified polypropylene. According to the morphological observations, an improvement in compatibility was found in both cases. The shear viscosity and the first normal stress difference were measured using a rotational cone and plate rheometer at 265°C (when both PET and PP are molten), and 245°C (when only PP has melted). Completely different behaviour was observed under these two temperature conditions. At 265°C, the shear viscosity decreases with PET content in the blend, while at 245°C it increases, thus recalling the behaviour of particle-filled systems. The addition of maleic anhydride affects the shear viscosity in various ways; a decrease, an increase, and some almost unchanged values were obtained. Concerning the first normal stress difference, an even more complex situation occurs, and the effect of modification by MA is also ambiguous. Furthermore, the deviations from the log-additivity rule were evaluated in terms of the shear viscosity and the first normal stress difference. From the results, it can be supposed that PP-X/PET samples were compatibilised successfully, and strong interphase interactions could be expected. Finally, the yield values of shear stress determined at 245°C showed a generally increasing tendency with increasing PET content.