Fabrication of hair and copper fiber reinforced polymethyl methacrylate (pmma) composites and evaluation of their mechanical properties, thermal conductivity and color stability for dental applications

Abstract

The objective of the work was to fabricate and evaluate the impact strength, flexural strength, thermal conductivity and color stability of heat cure Polymethyl methacrylate denture base resin, reinforced with human hair fibers and copper fibers. Specimens were prepared by reinforcing human hair fibers of 2mm length and diameter in the range of 64 -78 ?m, in different quantities with respect to two different age groups and genders, to polymer-monomer mix before dough stage. Same procedure was followed to fabricate specimens with copper fibers (2mm length and 200 ?m diameter) too. The impact strength, transverse strength, thermal conductivity, and color stabilities were measured by using standard equipment's. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to study the fractured surface of the fiber reinforced composites. The impact strength increased three times in hair reinforced and about twice in copper reinforced composites. The transverse strength was slightly decreased and the cause for it was investigated. Copper fiber reinforced composite significantly increased the thermal conduction. The human hair and copper reinforced Polymethyl methacrylate showed significant improvements in its mechanical properties and retained color stability similar to control specimens during storage in various beverages.