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Effects of nanoparticle size and content on mechanical properties of dental nanocomposites: experimental versus modeling

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Abstract

Mechanical properties of an experimental dental composite filled with spherical silica nanoparticles, in two different particle sizes, were investigated. The experimental results of elastic modulus and strength of the composites were compared with the prediction of models. Amorphous silica nanoparticles (ASN) with primary particle sizes of 12 nm (ASN12) and 40 nm (ASN40) were surface treated by 3-(methacryloxypropyl) trimethoxysilane (γ-MPS). Surface treatment of the particles was examined by FTIR spectroscopy and TGA. The composites were prepared by incorporating of the silanized ASN12 or ASN40 particles in different percentages into a mixture of 2,2-bis-[4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloyloxy-propoxy)phenyl]-propane (bis-GMA), triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate and a photoinitiator system. The pastes were transferred into the molds and light-cured. Diametral tensile strength (DTS), flexural strength and flexural modulus of the composites were then determined. The cross-section area of the fractured specimens and dispersion pattern of the fillers throughout the resin matrix were studied by SEM and TEM, respectively. Data were analyzed and compared using ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD tests at a significance level of 0.05. An increasing trend was observed in the flexural modulus of the composites as a function of their filler content. The same trend, however, was not observed for DTS and flexural strength properties. At the same filler fraction, the nanocomposites containing ASN12 showed significantly higher modulus than the nanocomposites filled with ASN40. The models which have been developed for prediction of modulus in the composites with rigid particle in non-rigid matrix fitted better with the experimental values.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Ms. Samiei and Mr. Ebrahimi in Kooshan Pars Quality Company for their expert technical assistance in mechanical analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    Hamideh Barghamadi

  2. Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Institute, PO Box: 14965/115, Tehran, Iran

    Mohammad Atai, Mohammad Imani & Masoud Esfandeh

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  1. Hamideh Barghamadi
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  2. Mohammad Atai
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  4. Masoud Esfandeh
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Correspondence to Mohammad Atai.

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Barghamadi, H., Atai, M., Imani, M. et al. Effects of nanoparticle size and content on mechanical properties of dental nanocomposites: experimental versus modeling. Iran Polym J 24, 837–848 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13726-015-0369-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13726-015-0369-5

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