Effect of adding silver nanoparticle on physical and mechanical properties of maxillofacial silicone elastomer material-an in-vitro study

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of silver nanoparticle incorporation into maxillofacial silicone material on its hardness, tear strength and color stability. METHODS: A total of 180 silicone specimens were fabricated according to the specification of American society for material and testing (ASTM) No. D142 and No. D624. The control samples were fabricated without silver nanoparticles and test samples were fabricate with 20 ppm concentration of silver nanoparticles. For outdoor weathering specimens were placed in a metal cage, which was suspended from the roof for a period of one month. Digital shore A hardness tests (Yuzuki, DIN 53505, ASTM D2240) was used to measure hardness, for tear strength the specimen was placed in the jaws of the universal testing machine (Lloyd instruments, LR 50 K) and stretched at a rate of 500 ram/rain, for color stability Spectrophotometer had been employed and the data recorded in the CIE L*a*b* system. The independent sample's "t" test was used to test significant differences. RESULTS: The mean difference for hardness between control and test group was 0.54 and t value was 2.08 and (p < 0.05).tear strength 0.66 and "t" value was 0.93 and (p < 0.05) and for color stability it was -0.02 and t value was -0.92 and (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study findings suggest that addition of silver nanoparticles at 20 ppm concentration decreased the hardness of Teksil 25(S25) silicone elastomer, and it did not affect tear strength and color stability.