The aim of this study was to develop a method for measuring the slumping resistance of resin composites and to relate it to the rheological characteristics.
Five commercial hybrid composites (Z100, Z250, DenFil, Tetric Ceram, ClearFil) and a nanofill composite (Z350) were used to make disc-shaped specimens of 2 mm thickness. An aluminum mold with square shaped cutting surface was pressed onto the composite discs to make standardized imprints. The imprints were light-cured either immediately (non-slumped) or after waiting for 3 minutes at 25℃ (slumped). White stone replicas were made and then scanned for topography using a laser 3-D profilometer. Slumping resistance index (SRI) was defined as the ratio of the groove depth of the slumped specimen to that of the non-slumped specimen. The pre-cure viscoelasticity of each composite was evaluated by an oscillatory shear test and normal stress was measured by a squeeze test using a rheometer. Flow test was also performed using a flow tester. Correlation analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between the viscoelastic properties and the SRI.
SRI varied between the six materials (Z100 < DenFil < Z250 < ClearFil < Tetric Ceram < Z350). The SRI was strongly correlated with the viscous (loss) shear modulus
Slumping tendency could be quantified using the imprint method and SRI. The index may be applicable to evaluate the clinical handling characteristics 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 (
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