Relationship between filler and matrix resin characteristics and the properties of uncured composite pastes

Abstract

The relationships between filler type, filler content, matrix resin composition and viscosity and the flow characteristics of composite paste formulations have been investigated. BIS-GMA and 10 experimental BIS-GMA analogues were diluted as needed with TEGDMA to produce 1000 and 2000 cp solutions corresponding to the viscosity range of commercial composite matrices. All of these resins were mixed with a silanated hybrid-filler and a silanated micro-filler. For each combination the maximum filler content was determined, as well as the paste consistencies (plasticities) at a series of filler contents. Paste consistencies were measured by a modification of the ADA specification methods developed for determining standard test consistencies for zinc phosphate and silicate cements. For each monomer–filler combination increasing filler contents resulted in monotonically reduced plasticities. The maximum filler contents appeared to be an attribute of the particular filler rather than matrix resin characteristics. For the materials used, the maximum contents were approximately 86 wt% (83 vol%) filler for the hybrid filler, and 36% wt% (24 vol%) for the microfilled material. At lower filler contents, plasticity differences unexpectedly existed even at equal filler contents and matrix viscosities. Evidence was found that the plasticity varied both with the base monomer composition and the amount of TEGDMA present. The results imply that compositional interactions between the filler and matrix influence the results when all known mechanical factors are controlled.