The Effect of Primer on Bond Strength of Silicone Prosthetic Elastomer to Polymethylmethacrylate: An in vitro Study.

INTRODUCTION The aim of the study is to evaluate interfacial bond strength between silicone prosthetic elastomers and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). MATERIALS AND METHODS Silicone elastomers were attached to PMMA and a total 120 specimens were fabricated which were then subdivided into 12 sub-groups. Each sample was then subjected to laboratory test to determine the bond strength. The specimen of silicone elastomer bonded to acrylic of different surfaces was placed into universal testing machine (HOUNSFIELD HT-400) for "PEEL TEST". All the values obtained were tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis. RESULT The bond strength of silicone elastomer to acrylic resin (TRAVELON) noticed highest (Mean 4.826 ± 0.008 n/mm) when only primer was used as a surface treatment. When silicone elastomer bonded to acrylic resin (DPI) showed the bond strength of (4.351 ± 0.0089) when only primer was used as a surface treatment. Whereas the least bond strength values were found when the silicone bonded to acrylic surface treated by 120 grit sand paper that is (0.076 ± 0.00 n/mm) and (0.082 ± 0.01 n/mm) for DPI and TRAVELON respectively. CONCLUSION The bond strength of silicone elastomer to acrylic resin was higher when primer was used on the acrylic surface. The bond strength of silicone elastomer to acrylic resin was more with travelon resin when compared to DPI resin. But when silicone was bonded to acrylic surface with sand papering, showed less bond strength.