Evaluation of glass transition temperature and dynamic mechanical properties of autopolymerized hard direct denture reline resins

Preparation, Thermal Analysis, and Mechanical Properties of Basalt Fiber/Epoxy Composites

In this study, basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP) composites with epoxy matrix, 20 layers, and volume fraction of fibers Vf = 53.66%, were prepared by a hand lay-up compression molding combined method. The fabric of the basalt fibers is in twill 2/2 weave. Through dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), their viscoelastic behavior at elevated temperatures and in various frequencies was explored, whereas thermomechanical analysis (TMA) took part in terms of creep recovery and stress-relaxation tests. Moreover, the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the BFRP composites was determined through the peak of the tanδ curves while the decomposition of the BFRP composites and basalt fibers, in air or nitrogen atmosphere, was explored through thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The mechanical behavior of the BFRP composites was investigated by tensile and three-point bending experiments. The results showed that as the frequency is raised, the BFRP composites can achieve slightly higher Tg while, under the same circumstances, the storage modulus curve obtains a less steep decrease in the middle transition region. Moreover, the hand lay-up compression molding hybrid technique can be characterized as efficient for the preparation of polymer matrix composites with a relatively high Vf of over 50%. Remarkably, through the TGA experiments, the excellent thermal resistance of the basalt fibers, in the temperature range 30-900 °C, was revealed.

Evaluation of viscoelastic properties, hardness, and glass transition temperature of soft denture liners and tissue conditioner

Soft denture liners and tissue conditioners are widely used for the denture patients to cushion masticatory force and condition abused tissues, respectively. This study assessed methods for the evaluation of the viscoelasticity and glass transition temperature (T_g) of the silicone permanent soft liner, acrylic permanent soft liner, and tissue conditioner. Three rheological parameters of storage modulus (E'), loss modulus (E''), and loss tangent ([Formula: see text]), T_g, and hardness were determined using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and the Shore A0 hardness test. Five specimens were measured for each material. The time-temperature superposition principle was applied to produce master curves of E', E'', and [Formula: see text] for the tested materials at a reference temperature of 37 °C. The acrylic permanent soft liner and tissue conditioner exhibited viscoelastic behavior and sensitivity to frequency, especially at lower frequencies. The silicone permanent soft liner showed elastic behavior and was frequency-independent. T_g for the acrylic permanent soft liner was higher than that for the tissue conditioner, which in turn was higher than that for the silicone permanent soft liner for both DMA and DSC. In DMA, a higher frequency led to higher T_g values. A positive linear relationship was found between Shore A0 hardness and E' values, but not E'' and [Formula: see text] values. Shore hardness reflects elasticity, but not viscosity. The results of the present study can be used to improve methods for evaluating the viscoelasticity and T_g of soft denture liners and tissue conditioners.