S. Cavdar

Effect of self and dual-curing on degree of conversion and crosslink density of dual-cure core build-up materials

PURPOSE Dual-cure core build-up resins have been developed to take advantages of both self and light-cured resin. The aim of present study was to determine the polymerization characteristics of self and dual-cured modes of dual-cure core build-up composites evaluating degree of conversion (DC) and crosslink density by measurement of glass-transition temperature (Tg) and hardness decrease in ethanol. METHODS Clearfil Dc Core Automix (CLF) and Grandio Core Dc (GR) core build-up resins were selected. Twelve specimens for both composites were polymerized using quartz-halogen-tungsten light curing unit (QTH) and 12 specimens polymerized chemically. DC was determined by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. TG/DTA analysis was performed to determine Tg. Microhardness value of specimens was determined by Vickers-tester before and after specimens stored in absolute ethanol for 24h. RESULTS One-way ANOVA showed no different DC values between dual and self-cured mode of GR and dual-cured CLF composites had higher DC than self-cured mode. Tg and percentage of softening in ethanol values of GR and CLF revealed significant difference between self and dual-cured mode. CONCLUSIONS In comparison of GR and CLF, DC showed no statistical difference in both curing modes. However, dual and self-cured GR has statistically higher Tg values and lower percentage of softening in ethanol than CLF. Polymerization characteristics of dual-cure core build-up composites have superiority in dual-cured mode than self-cured.

Experimental and theoretical approaches on thermal and structural properties of Zn doped BSCCO glass ceramics

Abstract Thermal properties of Cu–Zn partially substituted Bi1.8Sr2Ca2Cu3.2-xZnxO10+δ (x = 0, 0.1 and 0.5) glass-ceramic systems have been investigated with the help of a differential thermal analyzer (DTA) by using Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov (JMAK) approximation. Non-isothermal crystallization kinetics of the samples has been tested. The calculated values of activation energy of crystallization (E) and Avrami parameter (n) ranged between 306.1 and 338.3 kJ.mol-1 and 1.29 and 3.59, respectively. Crystallization kinetics was compared following the partial substitution, before and after Zn doping of the sample. In addition, by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray powder diffractometer (XRD), structural properties of Zn doped BSCCO glass-ceramic samples were determined. Surface morphology of the samples was studied by SEM measurements. Lattice parameters and volume of the samples were calculated from the XRD measurements.