Effects of Different Whiskers on the Reinforcement of Dental Resin Composites

Published

July 1, 2003

Author(s)

Hockin D. Xu, Janet Quinn, Douglas T. Smith, Anthony A. Giuseppetti, F Eichmiller

Abstract

Objective: Whiskers were recently used to reinforce dental composites to extend their use to large stress-bearing restorations. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different types of whiskers on composite properties. It was hypothesized that different whiskers would impart different degrees of reinforcement to the composite, and that different properties of the composite would show different dependence on whisker type or whisker:silica ratio.Methods: Silicon nitride and silicon carbide whiskers were each mixed with silica particles at whisker:silica mass ratios of 0:1, 1:5, 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, 5:1, and 1:0. Silica was thermally fused onto the whiskers to facilitate silanization and improve retention in the matrix. The composite was heat-cured at 140 C. Strength and fracture toughness were measured in flexure, while elastic modulus and hardness were measured with a nano-indentation system.Results: Both whisker type and whisker:silica ratio had significant effects on composite properties (Two-way ANOVA; p

Citation

Dental Materials Congress

Volume

19 No. 5

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

brittleness, dental resin composite, elastic modulus, fracture toughness, reinforcement mechanisms, strength, whisker

Citation

Xu, H. , Quinn, J. , Smith, D. , Giuseppetti, A. and Eichmiller, F. (2003), Effects of Different Whiskers on the Reinforcement of Dental Resin Composites, Dental Materials Congress (Accessed November 17, 2025)