The purpose of this study was to investigate the viscoelastic properties related to handling characteristics of composite resins.

A custom designed vertical oscillation rheometer (VOR) was used for rheological measurements of composites. The VOR consists of three parts: (1) a measuring unit, (2) a deformation induction unit and (3) a force detecting unit. Two medium viscous composites, Z100 and Z250 and two packable composites, P60 and SureFil were tested. The viscoelastic material function, including complex modulus E^* and phase angle δ, were measured. A dynamic oscillatory test was used to evaluate the storage modulus (E'), loss modulus (E") and loss tangent (tanδ) of the composites as a function of frequency (ω) from 0.1 to 20 H_z at 23℃.

The E' and E" increased with increasing frequency and showed differences in magnitude between brands. The E^*s of composites at ω = 2 H_z, normalized to that of Z100, were 2.16 (Z250), 4.80 (P60) and 25.21 (SureFil). The magnitudes and patterns of the change of tanδ of composites with increasing frequency were significantly different between brands. The relationships between the complex modulus E^*, the phase angle δ and the frequency ω were represented by frequency domain phasor form, E^* (ω) = E^*e^iδ = E^*∠δ.

The viscoelasticity of composites that influences handling characteristics is significant different between brands. The VOR is a relatively simple device for dynamic, mechanical analysis of high viscous dental composites. The locus of frequency domain phasor plots in a complex plane is a valuable method of representing the viscoelastic properties of composites.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of monomer and filler compositions on the rheological properties related to the handling characteristics of resin composites.

Resin matrices that Bis-GMA as base monomer was blended with TEGDMA as diluent at various ratio were mixed with the Barium glass (0.7 um and 1.0 um), 0.04 um fumed silica and 0.5 um round silica. All used fillers were silane treated. In order to vary the viscosity of experimental composites, the type and content of incorporated fillers were changed.

Using a rheometer, a steady shear test and a dynamic oscillatory shear test were used to evaluate the viscosity (η) of resin matrix, and the storage shear modulus (G′), the loss shear modulus (G″), the loss tangent (tanδ) and the complex viscosity (η *) of the composites as a function of frequency ω = 0.1-100 rad/s. To investigate the effect of temperature on the viscosity of composites, a temperature sweep test was also undertaken.

Resin matrices were Newtonian fluid regardless of diluent concentration and all experimental composites exhibited pseudoplastic behavior with increasing shear rate. The viscosity of composites was exponentially increased with increasing filler volume%. In the same filler volume, the smaller the fillers were used, the higher the viscosities were. The effect of filler size on the viscosity was increased with increasing filler content. Increasing filler content reduced tanδby increasing the G′further than the G″ . The viscosity of composites was decreased exponentially with increasing temperature.