Mechanical properties of PMMA reinforced with nano-SiO2 for denture base application

Poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) used in a manufacturing of a temporary and permanent denture base. PMMA considered as a susceptible to erosion and fracture over time. Consequently, a lot of research has been done recently on adding nanoparticle components to enhance its mechanical characteristics. This study aimed to improve the hardness, surface roughness, impact, flexural, and compressive strength by adding SiO2 to PMMA on the crosslinking of monomer to provide a better interconnection between the monomers. In this study various specimens of nanocomposite were prepared in wight percent of PMMA/SiO2 about (0, 1, 2, 2.5 and 3% wt.) respectively, prepared in this percentages in order to choose the best prepared specimen ratio for fabrication of a temporary denture base by using cold curing with hand lay-up molding method. Many various mechanical tests were submitted for prepared specimens included (hardness, impact, flexural, compressive strength, and surface roughness). According on our results we found that the addition of (2% wt) of nano-SiO2 to PMMA owns the maximum improvement on the majority of upon all mechanical tests. Hardness was improved about 8% as compared to the main pure specimen of (PMMA). Compressive strength test showed about 67% enhancement more than main pure specimen that reaching the loads up to 2000 N applies. Also, we resultant in increment about 48% for flexural strength test. Other results showed a slightly decreased in impact strength and surface roughness test about 11% and 21% respectively more than main pure specimen of PMMA. Morphological study by SEM showed that a favorable compatibility between PMMA and SiO2 nanoparticles, indicating strong interaction that well-dispersed at 2% wt. concentration, as compared to the other concentrations. From these results, the inclusion of SiO2 nanoparticles at a 2% weight percentage has the ability to enhance the temporal denture base’s characteristics.