An Investigation into the Impact and Flexural Strength of Light Cure Denture Resin Reinforced with Carbon Nanotubes

The aim of the study was to investigate the flexural and impact strength of 3 commercially available denture base resins after reinforcing them with single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT’S). Each acrylic resin was first solubilised in Tetrahydrofuran (THF) and then carbon nanotubes were added in different percentages respectively. A total of 50 specimens were made from each material (Eclipse, Triad Visible light cure (VLC) and Lightplast) following the International Standard Organization (ISO; 1567:1999). Carbon nano tubes were chemically incorporated into the polymer. Charpys impact test and flexural strength analysis was made. Data were analyzed using one way-ANOVA for comparisons. The results revealed a significant rise (p<0.05) in the impact strength and flexural strength of Eclipse (12.5 kj/mm , 128MP) when compared with Triad Visible light 2 cure (VLC) and Lightplast at 2% addition. The flexural strength of each material also increases gradually with increasing percentage of SWCNT’s addition. In terms of impact and flexural strengths Eclipse denture base showed better results when compared with the other light cured reinforced denture base acrylic resin. Higher standard deviation values were seen for Eclipse. Reinforcing the acrylic resin is beneficial and significantly affects the material properties.