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Interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and compressive strength are two of the most critical properties of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP). In this report, three types of epoxy resins—4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane epoxy resin (AG-80), bisphenol A epoxy resin (E-1NT), and novolac epoxy (EPN)—were studied. E-1NT is characterized by low viscosity and low cost but exhibits poor mechanical properties, while AG-80 offers better wetting with carbon fiber. These two epoxy resins were mixed in various mass ratios. The study revealed that as the AG-80 content increased, the ILSS of the composite also increased, reaching a maximum of 94.04 MPa when the AG-80 content reached 60%. Beyond this point, further increases in AG-80 did not enhance the ILSS. Conversely, the compressive strength initially increased but then declined sharply as the AG-80 ratio increased. The maximum compressive strength was recorded at 748.52 MPa when the AG-80 content reached 60%, which was 21% higher than pure AG-80 and 32% higher than pure E-1NT. Additionally, the study examined three different types of ionic sizing agents and four different resin matrices (E-1NT/DDS, AG-80/DDS, AG-80/E-1NT/DDS, EPN/DDS). Among them, the 60% AG-80/40% E-1NT/DDS/CF formulation demonstrated the best balance in both ILSS and compressive strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides an in-depth exploration of the current state of research in microwave-absorbing composite materials, juxtaposing the status quo of coating type and structurally reinforced resin-based composites, with a particular emphasis on the latter's structural and performance superiority. It succinctly elucidates the mechanisms of electromagnetic shielding, as well as the conditions and underlying principles that govern the absorption of microwaves by composite materials. The review continues by dissecting the strategies for enhancing the microwave-absorption capabilities of resin-based composites, including the classification of absorbents, absorbent selection, and an overview of structural design innovations in microwave-absorbing materials. Structural wave-absorbing composites are manufactured by combining different types of resin matrices, absorbers, reinforcing fibers and construction methods. The interactions between these components are scrutinized to reveal how each contributes to the overall performance of the composite. We spotlight the unique construction methods and the intricate relationship between structure and performance in structurally reinforced composites, offering insights into the optimization strategies for composite-material absorption characteristics. Concluding with a forward-looking perspective, the article contemplates the burgeoning potential and future applications of fiber-reinforced resin-based microwave-absorbing composites, setting the stage for a new era in material science and technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resin materials feature exceptional physical properties and inexpensive cost, but unfavorable surface characteristics, such as low wear resistance and poor erosion wear performance, render them tough to satisfy greater demands. The potential option is to prepare supersonic plasma sprayed Al 2 O 3 -13 wt%TiO 2 /Al 2 O 3 -phenolic resin (AT13/Al 2 O 3 -PF) coating on the surface of the resin matrix. AT13 feedstocks are classified into two types: Al 2 O 3 -13 wt%TiO 2 powder prepared by the agglomeration granulation process (AT13-1) and the mixture of spherical Al 2 O 3 and TiO 2 (approximately 13 wt%) powder (AT13-2). The effect of component dispersion on mechanical and tribological characteristics of coatings was thoroughly investigated, as well as the solid particle erosion wear behavior of coatings. The results illustrated that the evenly dispersed TiO 2 phase in AT13-1 coating was prone to homogenize the coating structure, resulting in better tribological characteristics than AT13-2 coating, although erosion wear performance was inferior to AT13-2 coating. The wear rate of AT13-1 coating was 1.36 × 10−5 mm3 (N m)−1, which was 1/21 times that of AT13-2 coating. At the 60° erosion angle, the high porosity of AT13-1 coating resulted in hard phase cracking or hard phase debonding. The high microhardness of AT13-2 coating reduced erosion wear at the 90° erosion angle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cerbera odollam oil was extracted from the dried Cerbera odollam seeds by the Soxhlet extraction method. Cerbera odollam seed oil-based alkyd resins were synthesized by the alcoholysis–polyesterification process via reaction of the oil with varying amounts of phthalic and maleic anhydride. Standard evaluation methods were used to analyze the physicochemical features of the resins, including acid value, viscosity, and others. Evaluation tests such as drying times, pencil hardness, adhesion, gloss measurement, and chemical inertness were employed to study the film performance of the produced alkyd resins. Mechanical characteristics such as ultimate tensile strength, strength under impact, elastic modulus, surface hardness, and water absorption were evaluated. Further characterization to study the organic architecture of the oil and alkyd resins was carried out by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (1H NMR). The resin with the higher percentage of maleic anhydride showed better surface coating application performance in set-to-touch (88 min), dry-to-touch time (105 min), and pencil hardness (5B) while resin higher in phthalic anhydride shows better results in gloss (92.5) and alkali resistance. On the other hand, the resin with the higher percentage of maleic anhydride showed better mechanical performance in tensile strength, tensile modulus, impact strength, and surface hardness while resin with higher percentage of phthalic anhydride showed better results in water absorption and elongation at break. Overall, the synthesized alkyd resins from the Cerbera odollam seed oil possessed great application potential in both surface coating and polymer composites as matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background One of the most common causes of aesthetic failure and restoration replacement is the tooth restorations color mismatch specifically after aging. Methods One hundred and two participants with endodontically treated first molar were selected clinically. The patients were randomly splited into two groups and restored either with Cerasmart hybrid ceramic or Vita Enamic polymer infiltrated ceramic network (PICN) crowns and cemented using dual cure adhesive cement. The color difference (ΔE) values after cementation at 0 (Baseline), 6, and 12 months of use were obtained by quantification of L*, a*, and b* values with a digital spectrophotometer. Mann–Whitney test used to compare between tested groups at each time point and between (α = 0.05). Results At 6 months follow-up intervals, Vita Enamic group showed the highest significant ∆L* (p = 0.035) and ∆a* (p 0.05). Furthermore, all color parameters of both groups showed statistically significant difference at 12 months follow-up intervals. After 12 months, Vita Enamic restorations presented higher color change compared to Cerasmart restorations with a (p-value of 0.0120). When comparing the total color difference ∆Et through-out the follow-up intervals of Vita Enamic & Cerasmart groups, there were insignificant difference (p = 0.263). Conclusion Both hybrid materials demonstrated comparable color stability after 1 year of clinical service within clinical acceptance range. However, Cerasmart demonstrated a better colour stability after 1 year. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT05501808) 15/8/ 2022- ‘retrospectively registered’.

Background: One of the most common causes of aesthetic failure and restoration replacement is the tooth restorations color mismatch specifically after aging. Methods: One hundred and two participants with endodontically treated first molar were selected clinically. The patients were randomly splited into two groups and restored either with Cerasmart hybrid ceramic or Vita Enamic polymer infiltrated ceramic network (PICN) crowns and cemented using dual cure adhesive cement. The color difference (ΔE) values after cementation at 0 (Baseline), 6, and 12 months of use were obtained by quantification of L*, a*, and b* values with a digital spectrophotometer. Mann–Whitney test used to compare between tested groups at each time point and between (α = 0.05). Results: At 6 months follow-up intervals, Vita Enamic group showed the highest significant ∆L* (p = 0.035) and ∆a* (p < 0.001) compared to Cerasmart group. ∆b* and ∆E showed no significant difference between both groups (p > 0.05). Furthermore, all color parameters of both groups showed statistically significant difference at 12 months follow-up intervals. After 12 months, Vita Enamic restorations presented higher color change compared to Cerasmart restorations with a (p-value of 0.0120). When comparing the total color difference ∆Et through-out the follow-up intervals of Vita Enamic & Cerasmart groups, there were insignificant difference (p = 0.263). Conclusion: Both hybrid materials demonstrated comparable color stability after 1 year of clinical service within clinical acceptance range. However, Cerasmart demonstrated a better colour stability after 1 year. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (ID: NCT05501808) 15/8/ 2022- 'retrospectively registered'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modeling the relaxation properties of resin matrix during cure plays an important role in predicting process-induced residual stresses and final distortions of resin-based composites. This paper develops a physical characterization model, which explains the temperature and cure-degree dependence of relaxation behaviors in terms of the size of cooperatively rearranging region, and special emphasis is placed on investigating the general physical mechanism of cure degree affecting the relaxation properties. In this model, the relaxation time is governed by a modified Adam-Gibbs equation, which is extended here to include the cure dependence. In addition, the relaxation modulus is modeled in a chemo-rheologically simple manner (CSM) based on the free volume theory. Material characterization is carried out using experimental data of two typical resins. It is shown that two cure-dependent model parameters, i.e., the smallest size of the cooperatively rearranging region and the glass transition temperature, are sufficient in accounting for the effect of cure on the relaxation modulus, and could provide a physical explanation of the influence of cure on relaxation behaviors. Furthermore, the proposed model is numerically realized by incorporating ABAQUS with UMAT subroutine, and its validity in predicting the residual stresses and final distortion of composites is also numerically verified by comparing with the results available in literature. [Display omitted] • The cure effects on relaxation behaviors are modeled based on polymer physics. • The cure degree effects are represented by the cooperatively rearranging region. • The smallest size of cooperatively rearranging region descends with an increase of cure degree. • Two cure-dependent model parameters are sufficient to include the influence of cure degree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Plastics / Zhongguo Suliao is the property of Journal Office of CHINA PLASTICS and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Ultrafast laser processing has recently emerged as a new tool for processing fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. In the astronautic industry, the modified epoxy resin (named 4211) and the modified cyanate ester resin (known as BS-4) are two of the most widely used polymers for polymer-based composites. To study the removal mechanism and ablation process of different material components during the ultrafast laser processing of FRPs, we isolated the role of the two important polymers from their composites by studying their femtosecond UV laser (260 fs, 343 nm) ablation characteristics for controllable machining and understanding the related mechanisms. Intrinsic properties for the materials' transmission spectrum, the absorption coefficient and the optical bandgap (Eg), were measured, derived, and compared. Key parameters for controllable laser processing, including the ablation threshold (Fth), energy penetration depth (δeff), and absorbed energy density (Eabs) at the ablation threshold, as well as their respective "incubation" effect under multiple pulse excitations, were deduced analytically. The ablation thresholds for the two resins, derived from both the diameter-regression and depth-regression techniques, were compared between resins and between techniques. An optical bandgap of 3.1 eV and 2.8 eV for the 4211 and BS-4 resins, respectively, were obtained. A detectable but insignificant-to-ablation difference in intrinsic properties and ablation characteristics between the two resins was found. A systematic discrepancy, by a factor of 30~50%, between the two techniques for deriving ablation thresholds was shown and discussed. For the 4211 resin ablated by a single UV laser pulse, a Fth of 0.42 J/cm2, a δeff of 219 nm, and an Eabs of 18.4 kJ/cm3 was suggested, and they are 0.45 J/cm2, 183 nm, and 23.2 kJ/cm3, respectively, for the BS-4 resin. The study may shed light on the materials' UV laser processing, further the theoretical modeling of ultrafast laser ablation, and provide a reference for the femtosecond UV laser processing characteristics of FRPs for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cotton Textile Technology is the property of Cotton Textile Technology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this study, a gradient material for shielding neutrons and gamma rays was developed, which consists of epoxy resin, boron carbide (B4C), lead (Pb) and a little graphene oxide. It aims light weight and compact, which will be applied on the transportable nuclear reactor. The material is made up of sixteen layers, and the thickness and components of each layer were designed by genetic algorithm (GA) combined with Monte Carlo N Particle Transport (MCNP). In the experiment, the viscosities of the epoxy at different temperatures were tested, and the settlement regularity of Pb particles and B4C particles in the epoxy was simulated by matlab software. The material was manufactured at 25 °C, the Pb C and O elements of which were also tested, and the result was compared with the outcome of the simulation. Finally, the material's shielding performance was simulated by MCNP and compared with the uniformity material's. The result shows that the shielding performance of gradient material is more effective than that of the uniformity material, and the difference is most noticeable when the materials are 30 cm thick.

This study aimed to compare the monomer elution, microhardness, and roughness of experimental resin‐based composites (RBCs) prepared from a novel monomer system derived from 9,9‐Bis[4‐(2‐hydroxyethoxy)phenyl]fluorene) (Bis‐EFMA), bisphenol A‐glycidyl methacrylate (Bis‐GMA), and urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA) with each other, also with a commercial RBC, 3 M ESPE FiltekTM Z250 (FZ). Experimental Bis‐EFMA (ET), Bis‐GMA (BT), and UDMA (UT) based composites were prepared (20% Bis‐EFMA or 20% Bis‐GMA or 20% UDMA, and 20% triethylene glycol dimethacrylate [TEGDMA], and 60% glass filler). 60 specimens were produced (n = 5) and exposed to ethanol solution for 7 days. Then specimens were tested at baseline (T0), first (T1), third (T2), and seventh (T3) days. ET and FZ released significantly lower TEGDMA than other RBCs did (p < 0.05). BT released significantly higher TEGDMA than other RBCs did at T1 (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was found between FZ and ET at T1 (p > 0.05). FZ exhibited the highest microhardness at all‐time points; besides, the microhardness of BT was lowest at T0, while the microhardness of BT and UT was lower than that of FZ and ET at T1, T2, and T3 (p < 0.05). BT exhibited higher roughness at T2 than the UT did at T0 and T1, significantly (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was found between the other RBCs (p > 0.05). Bis‐EFMA, a novel bisphenol A‐free monomer system, has the potential to be used in commercial RBCs as a substitute for Bis‐GMA in terms of lower monomer elution and higher microhardness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Bulkfills is considered the most recent approach by the industry and have impacted the possibilities of clinical use. • Manufacturers have claimed to introduce novel technologies to achieve proper depth of cure. • The current scientific investigation demonstrated that bulkfills can be formulated by proper recombination of monomers traditionally used in the manufacture of conventional resin composites. To propose monomer formulations that show an optimal degree of conversion as a function of depth for bulk-fill applications. Four resin blends were formulated with methacrylate-based monomers: BisGMA + TEGDMA (control); BisEMA + BisGMA + TEGDMA (BisEMA-based); UDMA + BisGMA + TEGDMA (UDMA-based) and BisEMA + UDMA + BisGMA + TEGDMA (BisEMA + UDMA-based). For each material, a photoinitiating system and silanized filler particles were added. The rheological analyses were performed with a rotational rheometer using the cone/plate geometry. CIELab coordinates were assessed over black and white backgrounds using a bench spectrophotometer (SP60, X-Rite) to calculate the translucency parameter (TP) for samples with 0.5, 4, and 6 mm thickness. The degree of C C conversion (DC) was determined by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR/ATR) at 0.05 mm (top), 4, and 6 mm depths (bottom), and the bottom-to-top ratio was considered. A broad spectrum–based LED was used for light activation. Analysis of variance and Tukey's test (95%) were performed on the results. The materials tested showed pseudoplastic and thixotropic behavior and a predominance of viscous effects over elastics. The control resin yielded the lowest viscosity for the entire shear rate investigated, followed by the BisEMA-based, BisEMA + UDMA-based, and UDMA-based group, which had the highest viscosity. The UDMA-based material showed the lowest TP as a function of thickness. Both the materials' formulations and depths significantly influenced the DC. The UDMA-based group promoted the highest DC ​​on the top (71 ± 1%) and 4 mm depth (68 ± 1%) but exhibited lower bottom-to-top DC ratio. The BisEMA + UDMA-based material promoted the highest bottom-to-top DC ratio at 4 mm (99%) and 6 mm (97%). The resin matrix interferes in the rheological behavior, translucency parameter, and polymerization capacity as a function of depth. The material formulated with the addition of UDMA and BisEMA demonstrated the highest curing potential as a function of depth and can be useful for bulk-fill applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work was to investigate the advantages of using dichloro bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate (dCl-BisGMA) as a potential matrix for dental resin composites. A series of model composites containing 65 wt% resin (urethane dimethacrylate/triethylene glycol dimethacrylate/BisGMA as 1:3:1) and 35 wt% silanated silica were prepared. Thus, BisGMA was replaced by dCl-BisGMA as 0, 25, 50, and 100 wt% to obtain UTBC0, UTBC25, UTBC50, and UTBC100, respectively. The composites' rheological properties, degree of double-bond conversion (DC), water sorption (WSP), and water solubility (WSL) were examined. The data revealed a statistically significant reduction in the complex viscosity of composites containing dCl-BisGMA, compared with UTBC0. No significant differences between DCs were detected (p < 0.05). A significant enhancement in the reduction of the dCl-BisGMA composite WSP was also detected, and conversely, WSL was increased. Although the viscosity, DC, and WSP characters were enhanced, a WSL increase is an undesirable development. However, WSL is supposedly caused by cyclization of small flexible chains, which is more likely to occur in the presence of hydrophobic monomers such as dCl-BisGMA and more prone to leaching than are crosslinked networks. We concluded that dCl-BisGMA is a monomer that could potentially be used as an alternative or in combination with traditional monomers, including BisGMA, in resin-based dental composites, and it deserves further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the biological behavior of the coffee compounds Trigonelline (T), chlorogenic acid (C), and nicotinic acid (N), correlating with their release from a resin matrix. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was evaluated against Streptococcus mutans UA159, and cytotoxicity was assessed by methyl tetrazolium salt on OD‐21 cells. Resin matrices (bisphenol A‐glycidyl‐dimethacrylate/triethylene glycol‐dimethacrylate 70/30 wt%, camphorquinone/ethyl 4‐dimethyl aminobenzoate 0.5/1 wt%) were doped with coffee compounds in different concentrations (10/20/30/40/50 wt%), performing 15 groups (T10‐T50, C10‐C50, N10‐N50), and a control group with no coffee compound. Degree of conversion (DC%) was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Antimicrobial properties were evaluated by bioluminescence (Luciferase assay). The release from loaded matrices was analyzed over time (24 hr, 6, 14, 21 and 28 days), using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Data were submitted to ANOVA/Tukey's test (α = 0.05). MIC for T and C was 6 mg/ml, and 4 mg/ml for N. None of them were cytotoxic. Only T50 and C50 showed lower DC% than control (α < 0.05). Some groups (T30/T40/T50/C40/C50/N50) were strongly antimicrobial, reducing bacterial activity approximately five times compared to control (α < 0.05). For T30, T40, T50, C40, and C50, the HPLC showed a release above or closer to MIC values mainly in 24 hr, but for N50, up to 28 days. In conclusion, the coffee compounds presented antimicrobial activity, depending on their concentration when added in resin matrices, being found a correlation with their release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Refractive index changes via nanoparticle incorporation or organic functionalization. • Refractive index adaption leads to highly translucent composites. • Specimen thickness has great influence on translucency. • ORMOCER®-based composites are biocompatible. For dental resin composites, high translucency is important. Therefore, the aim of the study was to create a biocompatible and highly translucent resin-based composite, and to investigate the effect of material thickness on translucency. A biocompatible ORMOCER® resin matrix was reinforced with dental glass powder as fillers. To reach a high translucency, refractive index matching of the matrix and fillers was done in the two ways: (1) Highly refractive ZrO 2 nanoparticles were incorporated into the resin. (2) The resin was modified via addition of 4-Methylthiophenol. The corresponding refractive indices were acquired on an Abbe refractometer (n = 5). In both cases, the dental glass powder was added and translucency of the resulting minifilled and nanohybrid composites were measured using spectral photometry (n = 5). Additionally, the translucency of the experimental composites was determined as a function of specimen thickness in the range 10 μm–2 mm (n = 5). One-way ANOVA was performed to determine the significant differences in various optical parameters among different amounts of modifications and thicknesses at α = 0.05. Furthermore, cytotoxicity tests (extract and direct contact tests) were conducted according to ISO 10993 to classify the biocompatibility of the composites (n = 6). The translucency values of the composites with 47 wt.-% dental glass powder and a specimen thickness of 2 mm, could be increased from 26% up to 71% by increasing the refractive index of the matrix through incorporating ZrO 2 nanoparticles. Moreover, it can also be increased to 67% via addition of 4-Methylthiophenol. Further results showed that the translucency significantly depended on the sample thickness following an exponential function. The effect of all tested parameters was significant among the materials (p < 0.001). The composites did not show any cytotoxic effect. Highly translucent and biocompatible resin composites were developed. They show attractive properties for the use as dental enamel material in direct and indirect restorations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noble metal assisted catalytic activity is a renounced adopted strategy since long times. Herein, we report an arresting of silver nanoparticles onto solid surface resin matrix in order to perform catalytic activity taking by 4‐nitrophenol as a model feed agent. The surface decoration has been evidenced by electron microscopy techniques. The superiority of this resin‐confined Ag nanoparticle based catalyst lies in their fast reduction and wide range of working temperature. The thermodynamic parameters related to activation energy, temperature dependency, and reusability can make this a suitable 'easy to install' all‐solid‐state fabricated catalytic membrane device. A facile approach of altering surface chemistry of a polymeric resin to attain diversification in physico‐chemical properties was developed. This study spotlighted on modification of pyrogallol resin using nanoparticles to fabricate organic‐inorganic nanocomposites which can establish a new era in the field of heterogeneous catalytic applications. we reported the behavior of metal‐resin nanocomposite towards catalytic reduction of 4‐nitrophenol at room temperature and at higher temperatures.The catalytic reduction reaction has very much important as hazardous pollutant converted into non‐toxic significant product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The repair microshear bond strengths (µSBSs) to resin matrices in 4 different cured-composites after water storage (0, 60 s, 1 week, 1 month) were evaluated. Three different adhesive application methods to the cured-composites were performed; (1) none, (2) onestep self-etch adhesive application, and (3) one-step self-etch adhesive application with a silane coupling agent. Degree of conversion (DC) of the composite discs was determined using ATR/FT-IR with a time-based spectrum analysis. Initially, the amount of unreacted resin monomers in the repaired cured-composite contributed to the bonding performance of newly-filled uncured-composite to resin matrix of the cured-composite. Adhesive application could not improve their repair µSBS. After 1-month of water-storage, the repair µSBS was dependent on material, which either reduced or did not and was not influenced by their amount of un-reacted resin monomers. When repairing aged composite resin, the appropriate adhesive application procedures were different among resin composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work was to investigate the advantages of using dichloro bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate (dCl-BisGMA) as a potential matrix for dental resin composites. A series of model composites containing 65 wt% resin (urethane dimethacrylate/triethylene glycol dimethacrylate/BisGMA as 1:3:1) and 35 wt% silanated silica were prepared. Thus, BisGMA was replaced by dCl-BisGMA as 0, 25, 50, and 100 wt% to obtain UTBC0, UTBC25, UTBC50, and UTBC100, respectively. The composites’ rheological properties, degree of double-bond conversion (DC), water sorption (WSP), and water solubility (WSL) were examined. The data revealed a statistically significant reduction in the complex viscosity of composites containing dCl-BisGMA, compared with UTBC0. No significant differences between DCs were detected (p < 0.05). A significant enhancement in the reduction of the dCl-BisGMA composite WSP was also detected, and conversely, WSL was increased. Although the viscosity, DC, and WSP characters were enhanced, a WSL increase is an undesirable development. However, WSL is supposedly caused by cyclization of small flexible chains, which is more likely to occur in the presence of hydrophobic monomers such as dCl-BisGMA and more prone to leaching than are crosslinked networks. We concluded that dCl-BisGMA is a monomer that could potentially be used as an alternative or in combination with traditional monomers, including BisGMA, in resin-based dental composites, and it deserves further investigation.

Objective Synthesize a new BPA-free monomer for use in methacrylate-based materials and evaluate critical properties of resin and composite materials based on the monomer. Methods Bis-EFMA was synthesized through reaction between 9,9-bis[4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-phenyl]fluorene and 2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl isocyanate. Experimental Bis-EFMA-based resin (Bis-EFMA/TEGDMA = 50/50, wt./wt.) and composite were prepared. Critical properties were investigated according to standard or referenced methods Bis-GMA/TEGDMA (50/50, wt./wt.) resin system, Bis-GMA-based composite and 3 M ESPE Filtek™ Z250 were used as controls. Results FT-IR and 1 H NMR spectra confirmed the structure of Bis-EFMA monomer. Cured resin materials: Bis-EFMA-based and Bis-GMA-based resins had nearly the same degree of conversion ( p > 0.05); Bis-EFMA-based resin had significantly lower shrinkage, water sorption and solubility, and cytotoxicity than Bis-GMA-based resin (p < 0.05); flexural properties of Bis-EFMA-based resin were all higher than those of Bis-GMA-based resin (p < 0.05). Cured composite materials: There was no significant difference in conversion ( p > 0.05); Bis-EFMA-based composite had significantly lower shrinkage and solubility ( p < 0.05); water sorption of Bis-EFMA-based composite and Z250 were similar ( p > 0.05), but lower compared to Bis-GMA-based composite ( p < 0.05); Bis-EFMA-based composite had the deepest curing depth ( p < 0.05); Before water immersion, there was no significant difference in flexural strength between Bis-EFMA-based composite and each control composite ( p > 0.05), while FS became lower than that of Z250 ( p < 0.05), but higher than that of Bis-GMA-based composite ( p < 0.05) after water immersion; Flexural modulus of Bis-EFMA-based composite and Z250 were nearly the same ( p > 0.05), higher than that of Bis-GMA-based composite ( p < 0.05); Bis-EFMA-based composite showed less cytotoxicity than Bis-GMA-based composite and Z250 ( p < 0.05). Significance Bis-EFMA has potential as a substitute for Bis-GMA to prepare Bis-GMA-free dental composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce the polymerization shrinkage of dental composite resin, we used two different ratios of toluene 2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) or 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) as functional side chains of bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate (bis-GMA) to synthesize two series of new dental resin matrices. This study evaluated the biocompatibility and cytotoxicity of these two series of new resin matrices. Methods: Two series of new dental resin matrices with the ratios of TDI or HDI functional side chain to bis-GMA (defined as B group) being 1:4, 1:2, 1:1 and 3:2 (defined as T1/4, T1/2, T1, T3/2, and H1/4, H1/2, H1, H3/2 groups, respectively) were synthesized. Each resin sample was light cured and immersed in the culture medium for 24 hours to make the extract solution. Then, human gingival fibroblasts were cultured in different extract solutions for 72 hours. The cytotoxicities of different resins were evaluated by microtitertetrazolium (MTT) assay, the levels of cell-produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by different extract solutions was measured. Results: Resins of the T1/4 and B groups revealed significantly higher cytotoxicity than resins of other groups. However, resins of the T1 and T3/2 groups exhibited less cytotoxicity. In general, resins of the TDI-modified groups showed equal or less cytotoxicity and induced equal or lower levels of ROS than the corresponding resins of the HDI-modified and B groups. Conclusion: Our results showed that the TDI-modified resin matrices containing more functional side chains were less cytotoxic than the corresponding HDI-modified resin matrices. When the ratio of functional side chain to bis-GMA is increased, the stereo hindrance of resin structure is increased, more toxic resin monomers are trapped in the complicated resin structure, and thus the resin matrix reveals less cytotoxicity. The TDI-modified resin matrices exhibit higher stereo hindrance of resin structure and thus show less cytotoxicity than the corresponding HDI-modified resin matrices.

Two trifunctional phenylethynyl-terminated imide oligomers, m-TPEPA and p-TPEPA, were systematically compared with the corresponding bifunctional phenylethynyl-terminated imide oligomer, BPEPA. The non-isothermal curing kinetics, Master Plots method, and rheological behaviour of the three high performance oligomers were systematically studied by dynamic DSC, small amplitude oscillatory shear rheometry, and infrared spectroscopy. The results show that the activation energy (Ea) depended on the extent of conversion evaluated with three different methods, and the lower Ea values of the trifunctional oligomers, which may lead to different curing reactions, compared with the sustained growth of Ea values of BPEPA. The chemorheological properties of the oligomers were measured and fit numerically with the dual Arrhenius model and gel model. Moreover, the degree of cure (agel) at the gel time (tgel) was calculated by the value of glass transform temperature at different curing temperature combined with rheological and isothermal DSC results. According to structural changes during the curing reaction characterised using FTIR spectra, it was inferred that the structures of the cured trifunctional imide resins have cis-configurations, which may change the part of the configuration from cis to trimerisation with the lower activation energies found in the later part of the conversion, while the difunctional imide structure is trans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]