The Effects of Cross-Linking Agents on the Mechanical Properties of Poly (Methyl Methacrylate) Resin.

Content Provider	Europe PMC
Author	Ceylan, Gulsum Emik, Serkan Yalcinyuva, Tuncer Sunbuloğlu, Emin Bozdag, Ergun Unalan, Fatma
Editor	Fráter, Márk Lempel, Edina Palkovics, Daniel
Copyright Year	2023
Abstract	Cross-linking agents are incorporated into denture base materials to improve their mechanical properties. This study investigated the effects of various cross-linking agents, with different cross-linking chain lengths and flexibilities, on the flexural strength, impact strength, and surface hardness of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The cross-linking agents used were ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), tetraethylene glycol diacrylate (TEGDA), and polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate (PEGDMA). These agents were added to the methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer component in concentrations of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by volume and 10% by molecular weight. A total of 630 specimens, comprising 21 groups, were fabricated. Flexural strength and elastic modulus were assessed using a 3-point bending test, impact strength was measured via the Charpy type test, and surface Vickers hardness was determined. Statistical analyses were performed using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov Test, Kruskal–Wallis Test, Mann–Whitney U Test, and ANOVA with post hoc Tamhane test (p ≤ 0.05). No significant increase in flexural strength, elastic modulus, or impact strength was observed in the cross-linking groups compared to conventional PMMA. However, surface hardness values notably decreased with the addition of 5% to 20% PEGDMA. The incorporation of cross-linking agents in concentrations ranging from 5% to 15% led to an improvement in the mechanical properties of PMMA.
Journal	Polymers
Volume Number	15
PubMed Central reference number	PMC10220788
Issue Number	10
PubMed reference number	37242962
e-ISSN	20734360
DOI	10.3390/polym15102387
Language	English
Publisher	MDPI
Publisher Date	2023-05-19
Access Restriction	Open
Rights License	Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). © 2023 by the authors.
Subject Keyword	denture base polymers cross-linking agent flexural strength impact strength surface hardness
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Chemistry Polymers and Plastics