Mechanical Characterisation of Modified Aramid Fibres Used in Dentistry

Reconstructive phase of medical treatment, especially in dentistry, requires the use of different polymers. A common laboratory method to increase the fracture resistance of acrylic resin dentures is to include high-resistance synthetic fibres in the processing protocol. However, in the case of aramid fibres the problem of ensuring high durability (if bonding between the fibre and acrylic resin has not been solved yet. The aim of the study is to evaluate the mechanical properties and microstructure of acrylic resin reinforced with modified aramid fibres used as fillers or as fibres treated with epoxy resin. In this study mechanicaJ strength of 10 samples of aramid fibres Kevlar (DuPont) and 10 samples of acrylic resin ProBase (Ivoclar) was determined. The controls were unreinforced samples. The three point loading tests were carried out on a universal testing machine Hounsfield. The structures of the fillers and composites were characterised by the scanning electron microscopy. The results are presented graphically in diagrams and table.