EFFECT OF POLYETHYLENE FIBER REINFORCEMENT ON THE STRENGTH OF DENTUREBASE RESINS POLYMERIZED BY MICROWAVE-ENERGY

This study investigated the effect of addition of polyehtylene fibers on the transverse strength, deflection, and elastic modulus of two den ture base acrylic resins polymerized by microwave irradiation. Specime ns of each resin, Lucitone 199 and Acron MC, were fabricated with 0.0% , 0.5%, 1.5%, and 3.0% fiber loading. Specimens were tested with use o f a three-point flexure apparatus with an Instron universal testing ma chine after storage in water for 10 days at 37 degrees C. The results showed that polyethylene fibers significantly decreased the transverse strength of Acron MC resin and slightly increased the transverse stre ngth of Lucitone 199 resin at a loading of 0.5% by weight. Fiber loadi ng did not significantly affect the deflection and the elastic modulus of either material.