Mechanical properties of reinforced denture base resin: the effect of position and the number of woven glass fibers.
This study examined the effects of the position and the number of woven glass fibers on the flexural strength, flexural modulus, and toughness of reinforced denture base resin. The woven glass fiber consisted of 1-4 laminated sheets. Chemical curing was used to polymerize three types of 4-mm-thick test specimens: fibers in compresrion, fibers in the center, and fibers in tension. Unreinforced specimens were produced as controls. A three-point flexural test was performed and the woven glass fiber content was calculated after the woven glass fiber was fired. The best results were obtained when the woven glass fiber was incorporated outside the base resin under tension, thereby increasing the flexural strength and flexural modulus. Furthermore, the denture base resin reinforced with woven glass fiber was made tougher by increasing the number of woven glass fibers incorporated into the portion under tension.