Effect of the Addition of Polyamide (Nylon 6) Micro-Particles on Some Mechanical Properties of RTV Maxillofacial Silicone Elastomer Before and After Artificial Aging
Abdalbaseet A. Fatalla1
, Manar E. AlSamaraay2 and Raghdaa K. Jassim31, 3Department of Prosthodontics, College of Dentistry, University of Baghdad.
2M.Sc Student, Department of Prosthodontics, College of Dentistry, University of Baghdad.
Corresponding Author E-mail: Abdalbasit@codental.uobaghdad.edu.iq
Abstract: Impairment in the material properties may reduce its service life and in turn create the need for its replacement. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of adding Polyamide-6 (Nylon-6) on the tensile strength, elongation percentage, tear strength, hardness and surface roughness of A-2186 RTV silicone elastomer before and after accelerated artificial aging. 120 samples were fabricated by the addition of 1% by weight PA-6 micro-particles powder to A-2186 platinum RTV silicone elastomer. Based on the pilot study, the 1% reinforcement reported improvement in tensile as well as tear strength among all other percentages (3% and 5%). The main study samples were divided into four (4) groups, each one containing (30) samples according to the conducted tests, i.e. tensile strength, tear strength, hardness test, and surface roughness except for the elongation percentage test which was measured concurrently with the tensile strength test. Then, each group was subdivided into three subgroups according to the artificial weathering environment (A. control before weathering, B. after 100 hours of artificial weathering, and C. after 200 hours of weathering) where n= 10. The samples were tested before and after artificial weathering, and the data were analyzed with a descriptive statistical analysis, one-way ANOVA, post-hoc LSD test and coefficient of determination. The addition of 1% by weight PA-6 micro-particles to A-2186 maxillofacial elastomer after 100 hours of aging resulted in a non-significant increase in the mean values of tensile strength, elongation percentage and tear strength (P>0.05) whereas a highly significant increase in hardness and surface roughness tests were found (P≤ 0.01). On the other hand, tensile strength, and tear strength were reduced non-significantly (P>0.05) after 200 hours of artificial aging while elongation percentage value witnessed highly significant reduction (P≤ 0.01). The hardness value continued to increase but in a non-significant manner (P>0.05) on the contrast to the surface roughness value which showed a highly significant increase (P≤ 0.01). Incorporation of PA-6 micro-particles prevents the silicone matrix from rapid degradation under artificial aging conditions and may result in an increase in the service life of the prosthesis.
Keywords: Polyamide; Room Temperature; Silicone Elastomer Back to TOC