Reinforcing effect of discontinuous microglass fibers on resin-modified glass ionomer cement

This study investigated the reinforcing effect of discontinuous-glass fiber fillers with different loading-fractions on selected mechanical properties and wear of resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC). Experimental fiber-reinforced RMGIC (Exp-RMGIC) was prepared by adding discontinuous-glass fiber of 200-500 mu m in length to the powder of RMGIC (GC Fuji II LC) with different weight ratios (15, 20, 25 and 30 wt%). Mechanical properties and wear were determined for each experimental and control material. Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate the microstructure of the Exp-RMGICs. Wear pattern was analyzed by a three-dimensional (3D) noncontact optical profilometer. Fiber-reinforced RMGIC (30 wt%) had significantly higher mechanical performance of fracture toughness (1.9 MPa.m(1/2)), flexural strength (90.3 MPa), and diametral tensile strength (31 MPa) (p<0.05) compared to unreinforced material (0.9 MPa.m(1/2), 51.9 and 20.7 MPa). The use of discontinuous-glass fiber fillers with RMGIC matrix is novel reinforcement and yielded superior toughening and flexural performance compared to conventional RMGIC.