Carbon Nanotube-, Boron Nitride-, and Graphite-Filled Polyketone Composites for Thermal Energy Management

In order to improve the thermal conductivity of 30 wt % synthetic graphite (SG)-filled polyketones (POKs), conductive fillers such as multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and hexagonal boron nitride (BN) were used in this study. Individual and synergistic effects of CNTs and BN on 30 wt % synthetic graphite-filled POK on thermal conductivity were investigated. 1, 2, and 3 wt % CNT loading enhanced the in-plane and through-plane thermal conductivities of POK-30SG by 42, 82, and 124% and 42, 94, and 273%, respectively. 1, 2, and 3 wt % BN loadings enhanced the in-plane thermal conductivity of POK-30SG by 25, 69, and 107% and through-plane thermal conductivity of POK-30SG by 92, 135, and 325%. It was observed that while CNT shows more efficient in-plane thermal conductivity than BN, BN shows more efficient through-plane thermal conductivity. The electrical conductivity value of POK-30SG-1.5BN-1.5CNT was obtained to be 1.0 × 10^-5 S/cm, the value of which is higher than that of POK-30SG-1CNT and lower than that of POK-30SG-2CNT. While BN loading led to a higher heat deflection temperature (HDT) than CNT loading, the hybrid fillers of BNT and CNT led to the highest HDT value. Moreover, BN loading led to higher flexural strength and Izod-notched impact strength values than CNT loading.

Resveratrol prevents ovariectomy-induced bone quality deterioration by improving the microarchitectural and biophysicochemical properties of bone

INTRODUCTION

Osteoporosis is a major health problem that is very common worldwide and is characterized by both low bone density and deterioration in bone quality. New treatment options without side effects have become an active area of research in recent years. This study was designed to investigate the preventive effects of resveratrol on bone quality deterioration caused by ovariectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty rats were randomly divided into five groups (12 animals per group): Control, Sham-operated (SHAM), ovariectomized (OVX), OVX + Resveratrol-40 mg/kg/day (OVX + Res40), OVX + Resveratrol-80 mg/kg/day (OVX + Res80). Resveratrol was administered by oral gavage (40 and 80 mg/kg/day) for ten weeks. Micro-CT measurements, biomechanical testing, Raman spectroscopy analysis, and RT-PCR analysis were performed. ALP, OCN, TAS, and TOS levels were also measured from blood serum.

RESULTS

Bone strength, bone volume/total volume, trabecular volume, and trabecular thickness were higher in the OVX + RES-80 group than in the OVX group. Resveratrol increased osteogenic differentiation, as the expression of osteogenic markers ALP, Col1A1, Runx2, OPG, OCN increased in both OVX + RES-80 and OVX + RES-40 groups compared to the OVX group. 80 mg/kg/day resveratrol administration decreased the levels of ALP, OCN and TOS in ovariectomized rats. Raman spectroscopy findings showed a preventive effect of resveratrol administration against ovariectomy-induced deterioration in biophysiochemical properties of bone tissue.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that administration of different doses of 80 mg/kg/day and 40 mg/kg/day of resveratrol had protective effects on bone quality deterioration caused by ovariectomy.

Improving Flame Retardant Properties of Aliphatic Polyketone (POK)-Based Composites

The effect of zinc borate (ZB) and high-molecular-weight siloxane (SIL) on flame retardancy, mechanical, and thermal properties of aliphatic polyketone (POK)-containing aluminum diethyl phosphinate (OF) was investigated in this study. Ten wt % OF is sufficient to obtain V0 rating according to the UL94 test. As the weight fraction of OF was increased, the flame retardancy properties and LOI values improved, while the tensile and impact properties decreased. To avoid the degradation in mechanical and impact properties as much as possible and obtain the same and better flame retardancy properties, synergists such as SIL and ZB were used. Flame retardancy of POK-based composites was determined by the limiting oxygen index (LOI) test, UL94 measurement, and cone calorimeter test. The additions of 1 wt % SIL and ZB have not led to a considerable decrease in the tensile strength and impact properties of POK-10OF. While ZB and SIL are very efficient in decreasing the smoke density, ZB is more efficient than SIL in increasing the LOI value of the composite. The addition of 1, 2, and 4 wt % ZB and SIL synergists did not lower their UL94 ratings. Moreover, it can be added that ZB is more efficient than SIL in decreasing the fire growth rate (FIGRA) and maximum average rate of heat emission (MARHE) values. Using OF (10 wt %) and ZB (4 wt %), LOI values higher than 32% and smoke density values lower than 150 were obtained.

Comparison of the Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Poly(phenylene sulfide) and Poly(phenylene sulfide)-Syndiotactic Polystyrene-Based Thermal Conductive Composites

Syndiotactic polystyrene (SPS) has attracted considerable attention recently due to its high melting temperature, low cost, and relatively low density value. The aim of the study is to reveal whether a blend of PPS and SPS (PPS-SPS) can be used instead of PPS for high thermal stability, high mechanical performance, and high thermal conductive material applications. For this aim, poly(phenylene sulfide)/syndiotactic polystyrene-based carbon-loaded composite materials were prepared using a twin screw extruder. Two carbon-based materials, carbon fiber (CF) and synthetic graphite (SG), were used to improve the mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of the PPS-SPS blends. Through-plane conductivity values of PPS-30SG-10CF and PPS-SPS-30SG-10CF were obtained to be 13.67 and 12.92 W/mK, with densities of 1.55 and 1.50 g/cm3, respectively. It was demonstrated that PPS-SPS blend-based carbon-loaded composites have great potential to be used in thermal management applications with the advantages of relatively low cost and lightweight compared to PPS-based composites.

Investigation of the Fire Performance of Polyamide 6-Based Composites with Halogen-free Flame Retardants and Synergistic Materials

In this study, halogen-free flame retardants and metal synergist materials were used to enhance the flammability of PA6. PA6-based composites including various fractions of additives were manufactured using a twin-screw extruder and an injection molding machine. Mechanical, thermal, physical, morphological, and flame retardant properties were investigated with several characterization methods. The study aims to meet R22 requirements based on the EN45545 standard for fire protection of railway vehicles, according to which limiting oxygen index (LOI), smoke density, and conventional index of toxicity (CIT) values under HL3 hazard levels have to be min 32%, max 300, and max 1.5, respectively. 15FR-2MH, 15FR-5MH, 15FR-1MH-1ZB, 15FR-1MH-1BOH, and 15FR-1MH-1SIL composites exhibited both the required smoke density, CIT, and LOI values for R22. It can be said that hybrid synergists provide all requirements according to the R22-EN45545 standard. Instead of using 15FR-2MH, 15FR-1MH-1BOH led to a lower smoke density value for PA6.

Size effects of graphene nanoplatelets on the properties of high-density polyethylene nanocomposites: morphological, thermal, electrical, and mechanical characterization

High-density polyethylene (HDPE)-based nanocomposites incorporating three different types of graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs) were fabricated to investigate the size effects of GnPs in terms of both lateral size and thickness on the morphological, thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties. The results show that the inclusion of GnPs enhance the thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties of HDPE-based nanocomposites regardless of GnP size. Nevertheless, the most significant enhancement of the thermal and electrical conductivities and the lowest electrical percolation threshold were achieved with GnPs of a larger lateral size. This could have been attributed to the fact that the GnPs of larger lateral size exhibited a better dispersion in HDPE and formed conductive pathways easily observable in scanning electron microscope (SEM) images. Our results show that the lateral size of GnPs was a more regulating factor for the above-mentioned nanocomposite properties compared to their thickness. For a given lateral size, thinner GnPs showed significantly higher electrical conductivity and a lower percolation threshold than thicker ones. On the other hand, in terms of thermal conductivity, a remarkable amount of enhancement was observed only above a certain filler concentration. The results demonstrate that GnPs with smaller lateral size and larger thickness lead to lower enhancement of the samples' mechanical properties due to poorer dispersion compared to the others. In addition, the size of the GnPs had no considerable effect on the melting and crystallization properties of the HDPE/GnP nanocomposites.

Effects of sandblasting and silicoating on bond strength between titanium and porcelain

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the different sized alumina particles (50 and 150 μm) and tribochemical silica-modified alumina particles (110 μm) on titanium (Ti) surface to identify the most effective method of increasing the bond strength between porcelain and Ti.

Materials and Methods

Thirty rectangular plates (15 mm × 50 mm × 1 mm) of commercially pure Ti (Cp Ti) Grade 5 (GC Dental Industrial Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) were divided into three groups for different surface modification procedures (n = 10). Ti bonder porcelain, opaque, and dentin layers were fired separately on Ti plates. All specimens were placed in a bending jig for four-point bending test. The load and crosshead displacement data were collected to calculate the strain energy release rate as a G value.

Results

Lowest mean G values in J/m² were in the group sandblasted with 150 μm Al₂O₃particles (Group 2) (18.6 ± 5), followed by the group sandblasted with 50 μm Al₂O₃particles (Group 3) (20.8 ± 6.1) and the group sandblasted with 110 μm silicoated Al₂O₃particles (Group 1) (24.5 ± 4.1). The one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests indicated that there was a statistically significant difference between Group 1 and Group 2 (P < 0.05). There were also no statistically significant differences between Group 1 and Group 3 and Group 2 and Group 3 (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

The size of alumina particles is not a factor that is directly effective in enhancing the bond strength of Ti-porcelain systems. The bond strength of Ti-porcelain systems can be extremely improved by the application of sandblasting with silica-coated alumina particles.

Effect of final irrigation procedures on fracture resistance of root filled teeth: an ex vivo study

AIM

To evaluate the effect of chlorhexidine (CHX) on fracture resistance of roots treated with different concentrations of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA).

METHODOLOGY

One hundred and twenty intact single-rooted premolar teeth were sectioned below the cementum-enamel junction to standardize the length of the teeth to 12 mm. The canals of one hundred specimens were instrumented with ProTaper Universal rotary instruments up to size F4 and were randomly divided into five groups (n = 20) according to the final irrigating solutions: Group 1: distilled water (DW); Group 2: 5% EDTA and 2.5% NaOCl; Group 3: 17% EDTA and 2.5% NaOCl; Group 4: 5% EDTA, 2.5% NaOCl, DW and 2% CHX; Group 5: 17% EDTA and 2.5% NaOCl, DW and 2% CHX. Root canals were filled with gutta-percha and epoxy resin-based root canal sealer using a single-cone technique. Twenty teeth served as negative controls and were not instrumented nor root filled (Group 6). All specimens were embedded in self-curing acrylic resin and loaded vertically at 0.5 mm min^-1 until fracture occurred. The data were evaluated statistically using one-way anova test followed by Holm-Sidak's multiple comparison test (P < 0.05).

RESULTS

Group 1 (only DW) had the lowest vertical fracture strength, followed by Group 3 (17% EDTA and 2.5% NaOCl; P < 0.05). Group 6 (negative control group) had the highest fracture resistance. Final irrigation with CHX following irrigation with 17% EDTA or 5% EDTA and 2.5% NaOCl (groups 4 and 5) significantly increased the fracture resistance of roots (P < 0.05). However, the difference between Group 4 and Group 5 was not significant (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Intracanal CHX rinse of EDTA/NaOCl-treated root dentine enhanced the fracture resistance of roots filled with AH Plus.

Sodium tungstate alleviates biomechanical properties of diabetic rat femur via modulation of oxidative stress

Diabetes mellitus leads to bone disorders such as osteopenia and osteoporosis that can increase fracture risk. On the other hand, sodium tungstate is an inorganic compound which exerts anti-diabetic activity in experimental studies due to its suggested insulin-mimetic or antioxidant activity. Therefore this study was designed to investigate the effect of tungstate on bone quality in diabetic rat femurs. The rats were divided into four groups: Control (C), tungstate-treated control (C+Tung), diabetes (STZ-D) and tungstate-treated diabetes (STZ-D+Tung). Diabetes mellitus was induced by single injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg). The treated rats received 150 mg/kg/day of sodium tungstate for 12 weeks. Sodium tungstate achieved a little (17%) but significant reduction on blood glucose levels, while it didn't recover the reduced body weights of diabetic rats. In addition, impaired bone mechanical quality was reversed, despite the unchanged mineral density. Sodium tungstate administration significantly lowered the 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and restored the activity of tissue antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase in diabetic rats. On the other hand, glutathione levels didn't change in either case. These findings indicate that tungstate can improve the reduced mechanical quality of diabetic rat femurs due probably to reduction of reactive oxygen species and modulation of antioxidant enzymes as well as reduction in blood glucose levels.

Effect of chlorhexidine on bond strength between glass-fiber post and root canal dentine after six month of water storage

Aim of this study was to assess the influence of chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) application on bond strength of glass fibre reinforced composite (FRC) posts to root dentine using adhesive luting systems. Forty extracted human mandibular premolars were endodontically treated and root canals were prepared. Teeth were divided into 2 groups according to luting system as SuperBond C&B (etch-and-rinse/chemical cure) and FuturaBond DC (self-etch/ dual cure). Each group was further divided in 2 subgroups (n=10) according to whether CHX was applied or not. Group Futura/CHX: FuturaBond DC + CHX; group Futura: FuturaBond DC; group Super/CHX: Super Bond C&B + CHX; group Super: SuperBond C&B + CHX. Mean and standard deviation (in parenthesis) values of bond strength in MPa were: group Futura/CHX: 8.86 (1.96), group Futura: 7.65 (1.01), group Super/CHX: 17.47(2.93), group Super: 12.41 (3.83). Bond strength values were affected by the type of luting agent and CHX irrigation (p=0.001, two-way ANOVA). There were statistically significant differences among the groups according to one-way ANOVA (p<0.001). Significant differences were observed in bond strength between groups Super/CHX and Super (p=0.023), between groups Futura/CHX and Super/CHX (p<0.001). Application of CHX before luting procedure with etch-and-rinse/chemical cure luting agent of glass FRC post improved long-term bond strength between glass FRC and root dentine.

Determination of bone density distribution in proximal femur by using the 3D orthotropic bone adaptation model

Most of the models developed and presented in the literature about bone remodelling assume bone as isotropic material. During this study, a structural model which has orthotropic bone properties is developed to simulate bone behaviour under mechanical loads. For a three-dimensional finite element modelling of proximal femoral bone, a computer code was written to investigate bone property changes owing to mechanical loads. The bone density distribution was determined after stress analysis was carried out in an iterative method. At every time step the bone properties were calculated depending on density change. Additionally, the effects of the bone remodelling parameters and sensors on numerical results were investigated. The most realistic bone density distribution in the proximal femur is obtained with strain energy density sensor. Generally initial bone density values do not have any effect on density distribution but at the low iteration numbers they may have some effects. Lastly, the density distribution of proximal femoral bone is more realistic for the dead zone size less than 0.35 and the stimulus value less than 2500.

Fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth: effect of tooth coloured post material and surface conditioning

This in vitro study evaluated the effects of the different endodontic posts and surface conditioning on the fracture resistance and fracture modes of endodontically treated teeth. The experimental groups consisted of zirconia ceramic post with a glasss-ceramic core [A], zirconia ceramic post with a composite core [B], glass fiber composite post (FRC) with a composite core [C], and titanium post with a composite core [D]. All posts in these groups were cemented with self-adhesive resin cement (Rely X Unicem Aplicap) combination with tribochemical silica coating (TSC). Groups E, F, G and H comprised the same post-and-core materials as the first 4 groups but cemented with the same resin cement without TSC. Specimens were subjected to thermal cycling between 5 degrees C and 55 degrees C for a total of 5000 cycles with 30s per cycle. Static load was applied to the palatal surface of each specimen until they were fractured. Statistical analysis was conducted using analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post-hoc comparisons (Tukey). The fracture resistance was significantly affected by the post material (P < 0.001) and surface conditioning (P < 0.001; two-way ANOVA). The application of TSC to post surface decreased the fracture resistance of zirconia ceramic post with composite core (p=0.002; Tukey) and glass FRC post with composite core (p=0.029; Tukey). No catastrophic failure was observed for groups B, C, D, E, F and G. Under the testing conditions used, the titanium post/composite core that had been silicoated exhibited the highest fracture resistance.

Effect of noble metal alloy post and core material on the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of one particular brand of post and core system (ER Post) consisted of different post and core materials on the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth. Fifty caries-free maxillary central incisors were randomly assigned to five groups (n=10). All teeth were sectioned at the cemento-enamel junction except for the teeth in the control group. Four experimental groups consisted of cast gold post-and-core group (GG), Heraplat post/cast gold core group (HG), titanium post/composite core (TC), and titanium post/cast gold core (TG). The control group (ETT) consisted of endodontically treated teeth without posts. All posts were cemented in the roots with zinc phosphate cement. Following thermal cycling (5000 cycles between 5 degrees C and 55 degrees C with a dwell time of 30 seconds) a static load was applied to 2 mm below the incisal edge on the palatal surface of each specimen until they were fractured. Fracture data obtained and statistically analyzed with one-way ANOVA and a Tukey's test (p<0.05). Means of the fracture resistance during static loading were: 423.76 N (GG), 529.46 N (HG), 389.08 N (TC), 408.7 N (TG), 404.4 N (ETT, control). Heraplat post with cast gold core exhibited the highest fracture load than the other groups (p<0.05). Specimens in groups HG and ETT (control) showed the most repairable failure. Heraplat post with cast gold core had the highest fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth.

The effect of spreader size on fracture resistance of maxillary incisor roots

AIM

To assess the effect of spreader size used during cold lateral compaction of gutta-percha on fracture resistance of roots in maxillary incisor teeth.

METHODOLOGY

The crowns of 50 human maxillary incisor teeth having no carious lesions, no fracture or crazing were resected 2 mm coronal to the cemento-enamel junction. The root canals of the teeth were prepared as follows: Group 1: No canal preparation. Group 2: Preparation using the stepback technique to a size 40 master apical file. Group 3: Canal preparation to size 40 and filling with laterally compacted gutta-percha; the first spreader used was equal to size 40. Group 4: Same as group 3 except the first spreader was equal to size 35. Group 5: Same as group 3 except the first spreader was equal to size 25. For each root, a simulated periodontal ligament was prepared. The roots were than mounted in polyester resin and fractured vertically on a universal testing machine (Shimadzu, Tokyo, Japan). The fracture values of teeth were analysed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-tests (P = 0.05).

RESULTS

The uninstrumented group had the highest fracture resistance; instrumented, but unfilled roots, demonstrated the lowest resistance values (P = 0.009). There were no differences between the uninstrumented group and group 5 in which a size 25 spreader was used during filling. Use of spreaders larger than size 25 caused a significant reduction in fracture resistance of roots (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Spreader size used during lateral compaction of gutta-percha can affect the fracture resistance of roots in extracted teeth.