Properties improvement of acrylic resin for denture application: effect of single and hybrid types of fillers with different weight loadings

ABSTRACT

This research aims to identify the suitable and optimum filler loading to improve the polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) properties for denture application. Mechanical properties were determined based on the flexural, fracture toughness, hardness and impact strength. The first stage investigated the effect of different weight loadings of hydroxyapatite (HA) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP). The addition of 2 wt-% HA in PMMA composites increased the flexural and fracture toughness when compared with β-TCP composites. The addition of β-TCP in PMMA composites increased the mechanical properties at higher filler loading; 4 and 6 wt-%. The second stage investigated the effect of hybrid fillers; HA/polylactic acid (PLA) microsphere and HA/alumina (Al₂O₃). HA/PLA microsphere in PMMA showed 5% and 23% improvement on the fracture toughness and impact strength if compared to PMMA/2 wt-% HA. HA/Al₂O₃ in PMMA showed higher flexural strength. The mechanical properties of a single filler can be further improved by hybrid fillers.

KEYWORDS:

• Polymethyl methacrylate
• denture-based material
• polymer composites
• hybrid filler
• product innovation
• microsphere
• single filler
• mechanical properties

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support for this study, provided by the School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering (SMMRE), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering (SMMRE), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).