Mechanical Properties of Dental Nanocomposites Reinforced with Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane(POSS)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to incorporate POSS-MA into the polymeric matrix to develop a new kind of nanocomposite. The effect of different weight percentage of POSS incorporated into the matrix on the mechanical properties was also evaluated. Infrared spectroscopic technique and X-ray diffraction were used to characterize their microstructures and double bond conversion. With only 2wt% POSS added, the nanocomposite’s flexural strength increased 15%, compressive strength increased 12%, hardness increased 15% and uncommonly, even the toughness of resins obviously increased. With 5wt% POSS polymerized, compressive strength increased from 192MPa to 251MPa and compressive modulus increased from 3.93GPa to 6.62GPa, but flexure strength began to decline from 87MPa to 75MPa. The nanocomposites incorporated with POSS showed greatly improved mechanical properties, and increased wear resistance and service life. The mechanism of reinforcement was also discussed.