Icing on materials surface causes operational failures as well as technical and safety issues. Furthermore, it reduces the energy efficiency of the power supply and passenger/freight transportation systems. Conventional active deicing methods are widely used to remove ice, but are often associated with uneconomically high energy consumption and high maintenance costs, often not being aware of their environmental impact. Instead, passive anti-icing methods are being sought to prevent or delay ice formation by means of physico-chemical surface treatment. Pyroelectric materials can be used as possible anti-icing surfaces after their ability to inhibit ice nucleation has been experimentally demonstrated. This makes use of the effect of the pyroelectrically induced surface charge, which changes with the ambient temperature and thus, hypothetically, exerts an influence on the dipole orientation of the water molecules at the surface. This is expected to affect the hydrogen bonding network of the interfacial water in the supercooled liquid phase, depending on the sign of surface charge. However, the Classical Nucleation Theory predicts an increased nucleation rate with increasing electric field strength of the pyroelectric surface charge irrespective of its polarity, as confirmed by many experiments. This raises the question of what exactly influences the ice nucleation. The main purpose of this thesis is to find a relationship between the pyroelectricity and the ice nucleation rate. Various theoretical and experimental investigation methods have been used to examine which of the possible influencing factors related to the pyroelectric material surface plays a major role in promoting or inhibiting ice nucleation.:Contents Abstract i List of figures xi List of tables xv 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Motivation 1 1.2 Objective and Tasks 4 1.3 Structure of the thesis 6 2 Basics 7 2.1 Pyroelectric materials 7 2.1.1 Fundamental properties 7 2.1.2 Lithium niobate, LiNbO3 14 2.2 Ice nucleation and water freezing 21 2.2.1 Thermodynamics of ice nucleation 21 2.2.2 Factors influencing ice nucleation 26 3 Materials and Methods 29 3.1 Sample materials used for the investigation 29 3.2 Theoretical methods 31 3.2.1 Theoretical background of computational quantum mechanical modeling 31 3.2.2 LiNbO3 model system 38 3.2.3 DFT implementation in CP2K 41 3.3 Experimental methods 42 3.3.1 Optical and vibrational spectroscopy 43 3.3.2 X-ray spectroscopy 47 3.3.3 Atomic force microscopy 48 3.3.4 Environmental scanning electron spectroscopy 51 3.3.5 Pyroelectric measurement 52 3.3.6 Contact angle measurement 53 3.3.7 Icing temperature measurement 54 3.4 Tabular overview of the different methods 57 ix4 Results and Discussion 59 4.1 Results 59 4.1.1 Several results of DFT calculations 59 4.1.2 MD simulations of interfacial water 75 4.1.3 Results of optical and vibrational spectroscopy 80 4.1.4 X-ray spectroscopy on LiNbO3 surfaces 96 4.1.5 Extended treatment of the Classical Nucleation Theory 100 4.1.6 Results of atomic force microscopy 108 4.1.7 ESEM images of ice crystals grown on LiNbO3 116 4.1.8 Results of pyroelectric measurements 122 4.1.9 Results of contact angle measurements 124 4.1.10 Results of icing temperature measurements 126 4.2 Discussion 135 4.2.1 Surface charge 135 4.2.2 Surface structure 144 4.2.3 Surface reactivity 149 4.3 Conclusion of the findings and remarks 151 5 Summary and Outlook 157 5.1 Conclusion of the thesis 157 5.2 Recommendations for further investigations 161 5.3 Outlook 164 Appendix 167 A.1 Additional information to the DFT calculations 167 A.2 Background spectrum for ATR spectroscopy 175 A.3 Additional information to SFG/SHG spectroscopy 176 A.4 Additional information to the XPS results 181 A.5 Additional information to the AFM measurement 182 A.6 ESEM images of ice accretion in the sample system 187 A.7 FEM simulation of local temperature and flow velocity distribution 190 A.8 Additional information to the icing temperature measurement 203 A.9 Temperature-dependent pH variation of water at LiNbO3 surface 207 List of abbreviations and symbols 213 References 217 Publications 276 Acknowledgements 277 Erklärung 281 / Vereisung auf Werkstoffoberflächen führt einerseits zu Betriebsausfällen und andererseits zur Reduzierung der Energieeffizienz von Energieversorgungs- sowie Personen- und Gütertransportsystemen. Sie stellt nicht selten ein sicherheitstechnisches und gesundheitliches Risiko dar. Da die konventionellen aktiven Enteisungsmethoden mit hohem Energieaufwand und hohen Wartungskosten verbunden sind, wird nach passiven Anti-icing-Methoden als vorbeugende Maßnahmen zur Vermeidung/Verzögerung von Eisbildung auf physikalisch-chemisch behandelten Oberflächen gesucht. Der Einsatz dieser Werkstoffoberflächen senkt nicht nur den Energieverbrauch, sondern soll auch die Umwelt schonen. Pyroelektrische Materialien kommen als passive Anti-icing-Oberflächen in Frage, nachdem ihre eiskeimbildungshemmende Fähigkeit experimentell nachgewiesen wurde. Dabei wird der Effekt der pyroelektrisch induzierten Oberflächenladung ausgenutzt, die sich mit der Umgebungstemperatur ändert und somit, hypothetisch gesehen, einen Einfluss auf die Dipolorientierung der Wassermoleküle an der Oberfläche ausübt. Das hat je nach Vorzeichen der Oberflächenladung Auswirkungen auf das Wassermolekülbindungsnetzwerk des Grenzflächenwassers in der unterkühlten flüssigen Phase. Da die klassische Keimbildungstheorie jedoch eine erhöhte Keimbildungswahrscheinlichkeit mit zunehmender Stärke des elektrischen Feldes der pyroelektrischen Oberflächenladung unabhängig von ihrem Vorzeichen voraussagt, wie es ebenfalls in vielen Experimenten nachgewiesen wurde, stellt sich die Frage, was genau die Eiskeimbildung beeinflusst. Das Hauptanliegen dieser Arbeit ist, einen Zusammenhang zwischen der Pyroelektrizität der Oberfläche und der Eiskeimbildungsrate zu finden. Mithilfe einer Vielzahl von verschiedenen theoretischen und experimentellen Methoden wird untersucht, welcher der möglichen Einflussfaktoren im Zusammenhang mit der pyroelektrischen Materialoberfläche eine große Rolle bei der Eiskeimbildung spielt.:Contents Abstract i List of figures xi List of tables xv 1 Introduction 1 1.1 Motivation 1 1.2 Objective and Tasks 4 1.3 Structure of the thesis 6 2 Basics 7 2.1 Pyroelectric materials 7 2.1.1 Fundamental properties 7 2.1.2 Lithium niobate, LiNbO3 14 2.2 Ice nucleation and water freezing 21 2.2.1 Thermodynamics of ice nucleation 21 2.2.2 Factors influencing ice nucleation 26 3 Materials and Methods 29 3.1 Sample materials used for the investigation 29 3.2 Theoretical methods 31 3.2.1 Theoretical background of computational quantum mechanical modeling 31 3.2.2 LiNbO3 model system 38 3.2.3 DFT implementation in CP2K 41 3.3 Experimental methods 42 3.3.1 Optical and vibrational spectroscopy 43 3.3.2 X-ray spectroscopy 47 3.3.3 Atomic force microscopy 48 3.3.4 Environmental scanning electron spectroscopy 51 3.3.5 Pyroelectric measurement 52 3.3.6 Contact angle measurement 53 3.3.7 Icing temperature measurement 54 3.4 Tabular overview of the different methods 57 ix4 Results and Discussion 59 4.1 Results 59 4.1.1 Several results of DFT calculations 59 4.1.2 MD simulations of interfacial water 75 4.1.3 Results of optical and vibrational spectroscopy 80 4.1.4 X-ray spectroscopy on LiNbO3 surfaces 96 4.1.5 Extended treatment of the Classical Nucleation Theory 100 4.1.6 Results of atomic force microscopy 108 4.1.7 ESEM images of ice crystals grown on LiNbO3 116 4.1.8 Results of pyroelectric measurements 122 4.1.9 Results of contact angle measurements 124 4.1.10 Results of icing temperature measurements 126 4.2 Discussion 135 4.2.1 Surface charge 135 4.2.2 Surface structure 144 4.2.3 Surface reactivity 149 4.3 Conclusion of the findings and remarks 151 5 Summary and Outlook 157 5.1 Conclusion of the thesis 157 5.2 Recommendations for further investigations 161 5.3 Outlook 164 Appendix 167 A.1 Additional information to the DFT calculations 167 A.2 Background spectrum for ATR spectroscopy 175 A.3 Additional information to SFG/SHG spectroscopy 176 A.4 Additional information to the XPS results 181 A.5 Additional information to the AFM measurement 182 A.6 ESEM images of ice accretion in the sample system 187 A.7 FEM simulation of local temperature and flow velocity distribution 190 A.8 Additional information to the icing temperature measurement 203 A.9 Temperature-dependent pH variation of water at LiNbO3 surface 207 List of abbreviations and symbols 213 References 217 Publications 276 Acknowledgements 277 Erklärung 281

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Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The objectives: 1. To compare the flexural strength, flexural modulus, and fracture toughness of specimens fabricated from recently marketed translucent full-contour zirconia, traditional zirconia, and lithium disilicate glass ceramic. 2. To compare the load-to-failure of crowns fabricated from recently marketed translucent full-contour zirconia, traditional zirconia, and lithium disilicate glass ceramic at their recommended tooth-reduction thickness. Methodology: Four groups of translucent zirconia (BruxZir, KDZ Bruxer, CAP FZ, Suntech zirconia), one group of traditional zirconia (CAP QZ) and IPS e.maxCAD) were tested. Twelve bars of each material were made and tested for flexural strength, and fracture toughness. Fracture patterns were imaged under SEM. Forty-eight crowns (8 from each group) were fabricated with CAD/CAM technique following manufacturers’ recommendations for the amount of tooth reduction. All the crowns were cemented to prepared epoxy resin dies with RelyX Unicem and tested for static load to failure in a universal machine. Result: In bar-shape samples, CAP QZ (traditional zirconia) showed the highest flexural strength (788.12 MPa), fracture toughness (6.85 MPa.m1/2), and fracture resistance (2489.8 N). All translucent zirconia groups show lower mechanical properties than QZ. However, there were no differences between translucent and traditional zirconia in the fracture resistance of the crown-shape samples. There was no significant difference in fracture resistance between IPS e.max crowns at recommended thickness and other zirconia crowns at recommended thickness. Conclusion: With less reduction of tooth structure, a high inherent strength and chip resistance make full-zirconia crowns a good alternative to porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns and all other ceramic crowns.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Introduction: Regenerative endodontic therapy in immature teeth with necrotic pulps triggers continued root development thereby improving the prognosis of these teeth. Several agents are under consideration for the disinfection and conditioning phases of this therapy. Triple antibiotic paste (TAP, i.e. equal parts of ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, minocycline) is used for canal disinfection and 17% EDTA solution is used for dentin conditioning. However, TAP and EDTA cause demineralization and their effect on surface loss and surface roughness of radicular dentin during regenerative procedures has not been quantified. Surface loss may be correlated with reduced tooth strength and surface roughness may be correlated with stem cell attachment. Objectives: The aim of this in vitro study was to quantitatively investigate the surface loss and surface roughness on human radicular dentin after treatment with two concentrations of TAP followed by EDTA. Materials and Methods: Human radicular dentin specimens were prepared from extracted human anterior teeth and randomized into six experimental groups. Group 1: saline control; Group 2: 17% EDTA; Group 3: TAP 1 mg/mL; Group 4: TAP 1 mg/mL and 17% EDTA; Group 5: TAP 1,000 mg/mL; Group 6: TAP 1,000 mg/mL and 17% EDTA for 5 minutes. After TAP is applied to Groups 3-6, all groups were incubated for 4 weeks. Then, groups 2, 4, and 6 were treated with EDTA for 5 minutes. Dentin surface loss (μm) and surface roughness (Ra, μm) were quantified after various treatments using non-contact and contact profilometry, respectively. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (α = 0.05) Hypothesis: It was hypothesized that there would be a significant difference in surface loss or surface roughness between at least two treatment groups. Results: All treatment groups showed significantly higher surface loss compared to untreated control. Dentin treated with 1g/mL TAP caused significant increase in surface loss and surface roughness compared to dentin treated with 1 mg/mL TAP. However, only 1g/mL TAP treated dentin showed significantly higher surface roughness compared to untreated control. The use of EDTA after both concentrations of TAP did not have significant additive effect on surface loss and surface roughness of dentin. Conclusion: The use of 1 mg/mL TAP can minimize surface loss and surface roughness of radicular dentin compared to higher concentrations. The use of EDTA after TAP may not cause additional surface loss and surface roughness of dentin.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Background: Interim restoration for a lost anterior tooth is often needed for temporary esthetic and functional purposes. Materials for interim restorations usually have less strength than ceramic or gold and can suffer from fracture. Several approaches have been proposed to reinforce interim restorations, among which fiber reinforcement has been regarded as one of the most effective methods. However, some studies have found that the limitation of this method is the poor polymerization between the fibers and the composite resin, which can cause debonding and failure. 64 Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different polymerization methods as well as fiber types on the mechanical behavior of fiberreinforced composite resin. Material and Methods: A 0.2-mm thick fiber layer from strip fibers or mesh fibers embedded in uncured monomers w as fabricated with polymerization (two-step method) or without polymerization (one-step method), on top of which a 1.8-mm composite layer was added to make a bar-shape sample, followed by a final polymerization. Seventy-five specimens were fabricated and divided into one control group and four experimental groups (n=15), according to the type of glass fiber (strip or mesh) and polymerization methods (one-step or two-step). Specimens were tested for flexural strength, flexural modulus, and microhardness. The failure modes of specimens were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: The fiber types showed significant effect on the flexural strength of test specimens (F = 469.48; p < 0.05), but the polymerization methods had no significant effect (F = 0.05; p = 0.82). The interaction between these two variables was not significant (F = 1.73; p = 0.19). In addition, both fiber types and polymerization steps affected the flexural modulus of test specimens (F = 9.71; p < 0.05 for fiber type, and F = 12.17; p < 0.05 for polymerization method). However, the interaction between these two variables was not significant (F = 0.40; p = 0.53). Both fiber types and polymerization steps affected the Knoop hardness number of test specimens (F = 5.73; p < 0.05 for polymerization method. and F = 349.99; p < 0.05 for fiber type) and the interaction between these two variables was also significant (F = 5.73; p < 0.05). SEM images revealed the failure mode tended to become repairable while fiber reinforcement was 65 existed. However, different polymerization methods did not change the failure mode. Conclusion: The strip fibers showed better mechanical behavior than mesh fibers and were suggested for use in composite resin reinforcement. However, different polymerization methods did not have significant effect on the strength and the failure mode of fiber-reinforced composite

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Background: New glass ceramics and Computer-Aided Design/Computer Assisted Manufacture (CAD/CAM) have become common aspects of modern dentistry. The use of posterior ceramic crowns with a high level of esthetics, fabricated using the CAD/CAM technology is a current treatment modality. Several materials have been used to fabricate these crowns, including lithium disilicate glass-ceramics, which have not been fully investigated in the literature. Objective: to investigate the load to fracture of lithium disilicate glass ceramic posterior crowns fabricated by CAD/CAM technology with different material thicknesses adhesively cemented on epoxy resin. Methods: Four groups of different ceramic thicknesses (0.5 mm, 1 mm, 1.5 mm, and 2 mm) were fabricated by milling CAD/CAM lithium disilicate IPS emax CAD blocks. A total of 68 posterior crowns were surface treated and luted with a resin adhesive cement on an epoxy resin model. Samples were fatigued then loaded to fracture using a universal testing machine to test the fracture strength. Statistical comparisons between various crown thicknesses were performed using one-way ANOVA followed by Fisher's Protected Least Significant Differences. Results: There was a significant difference in the load-to-fracture (N) value for all comparisons of the four thickness groups (p < 0.0001), except 2 mm vs. 1.5 mm (p = 0.325). The mean load-to-fracture (N) was significantly higher for 2 mm than for 1 mm or 0.5 mm. Additionally, the mean load-to-fracture was significantly higher for 1.5 mm than for 1 mm or 0.5 mm. Furthermore, the mean load-to-fracture was significantly higher for 1 mm than for 0.5 mm. Conclusion: Within the limitation of this study, it is advisable for clinical applications to consider a crown thickness of 1.5 mm or greater of milled lithium disilicate for posterior single teeth.

Binäre Polymerbürsten bestehen aus zwei verschiedenen Polymertypen, die nebeneinander auf dem gleichen Trägermaterial verankert sind. Wenn diese Polymere unterschiedliche Benetzungseigenschaften haben, können damit schaltbare Oberflächen produziert werden. Abhängig vom Lösungsmittel, dem man die binäre Polymerbürste aussetzt, streckt sich entweder das hydrophile oder das hydrophobe Polymer zum Lösungsmittel hin, während die zweite Komponente nahe der Oberfläche verbleibt. Durch diese vertikale Phasenseparation kann temporär eine bestimmte Oberflächeneigenschaft erzeugt werden. Allerdings verschwindet diese sofort wieder, wenn ein anderes Lösungsmittel die binäre Bürste benetzt, sei es durch direkten Kontakt oder über die Gasphase. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde untersucht, ob es möglich ist, neuartige schaltbare binäre Polymerbürsten bestehend aus einem hydrophilen und einem hydrophoben Polymer angebunden auf Siliziumwafern herzustellen, deren Schaltfähigkeit durch photochemische Vernetzung unterbunden werden kann. Geprüft worden ist unter anderem, inwiefern sich hydrophober und hydrophiler Zustand der Schicht fixieren lassen und ob daraus resultierend, eine entsprechende Strukturierung der Oberfläche nach Bestrahlung durch eine geeignete Fotomaske oder durch fokussiertes Licht nachweisbar ist. Als hydrophobe Komponente wurden photovernetzbare Styren/2-(4’-Styryl)-inden-Copolymere verwendet, als hydrophile Komponente kam Polyvinylpyridin zum Einsatz. Mit einem speziellen Oberflächeninitiator konnten durch „Grafting from“ binäre Polymerbürsten mit bis zu 300 nm Schichtdicke erzeugt werden. Es ist gelungen, diese schaltbaren Schichten durch selektive photochemische Vernetzung einer der Bürstenkomponenten im hydrophilen oder im hydrophoben Zustand zu fixieren, was durch Kontaktwinkelmessung nachgewiesen werden konnte. Wie beabsichtigt, verlieren dabei die vernetzten Bereiche ihre Schaltfähigkeit. Es ließen sich feine Oberflächenstrukturen mittels Bestrahlung durch eine Fotomaske erzeugen, die sichtbar werden, wenn man sie mit Wasser benetzt bzw. Wasserdampf aussetzt.

The thesis aims to synthesize hyperbranched poly(urea-urethane) polymers (HPU) in one-pot method using commercially available monomers which are 2,4-toluylene diisocyanate (TDI) as aromatic diisocyanate and isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) and 2(3-isocyanatopropyl) cyclohexylisocyanate (IPCI) as aliphatic diisocyanates. Those proposed diisocyanates were reacted with diethanolamine (DEA) or diisopropanolamine (DIPA). Conditions of polymerisation reactions were optimised. Complete structural analysis using 1H and 13C NMR for the obtained aromatic polymers was carried out. Degree of branching up to 70% was calculated. Aliphatic polymers have spectra with overlapped signals therefore, no full structural analysis was possible. Molar masses were determined using SEC/RI detector which shows that the prepared polymers have Mw values between 1600 g/mol and 106000 g/mol. Thermal analysis for different polymer systems showed that aliphatic HPU are more thermally stable and have values of glass transition temperature higher than aromatic ones. Modification of the end groups in the prepared hyperbranched polymers was carried out using three different modifiers and degree of modification up to 100%. Linear polymers based on the same diisocyanate monomers were prepared to compare the properties of hyperbranched systems with their linear analogs. Measurements of solution viscosity showed that HPU have lower solution viscosity values than their linear analogs of comparable molar masses. Rheological measurement of some polymer samples of different systems were carried out and showed that our hyperbranched systems exhibit a more elastic behavior than the linear polymers. Surface studies for thin films prepared from different polymer systems (hyperbranched, linear and modified) were carried out and the obtained thin films were characterized using light microscope, microglider, GC-MS, and AFM. Contact angle measurements showed that HPU have a relatively hydrophilic character. The modified polymers have higher contact angle values than the unmodified ones due to the lack of OH end groups. Networks based on aliphatic and aromatic HPU were prepared through the reaction of HPU with trimer of 1,6-diisocyanatohexane and characterised by DSC, GC-MS, DMA and AFM. The domain size in aromatic networks was found to be larger than in aliphatic networks. Tensile test was carried out and it was found that aliphatic network is more elastic than aromatic one.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The use of yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP), normally employed as a framework for all-ceramic restorations, has now started to be used without any veneering ceramics in patients with parafunctional activities. The aims of this study were to evaluate the influence of Y-TZP surface roughness on the wear behavior (volume/height loss) against glass-based ceramics (i.e., IPS Empress CAD and IPS e.max CAD, Ivoclar-Vivadent). Thirty-two Y-TZP full-contour zirconia (Ardent®) sliders (ϕ=2 mm, 1.5 mm in height) were milled in a CAD/CAM unit and sintered according to the manufacturer instructions. Sliders were embedded in brass holders using acrylic resin and then randomly allocated into 2 groups according to the surface treatment (n=16): G1-as-machined and G2-glazed (Diazir®). Empress and e.max antagonists were cut into tabs (13×13×2 mm) wet-finished and also embedded in brass holders. Two-body pin-on-disc wear testing was performed at 1.2 Hz for 25,000 cycles under a 3-kg load. Non-contact profilometry was used to measure antagonist height (μm) and volume loss (mm3). Qualitative data of the testing surfaces and wear tracks were obtained using SEM. Statistics were performed using one- and two-way ANOVAs (α=0.05). The results indicated that G1 yielded significantly higher mean roughness values (Ra=0.83 μm, Rq=1.09 μm) than G2 (Ra=0.53 μm, Rq=0.78 μm). Regarding antagonist loss, G1 caused significantly less antagonist mean height and volume loss (68.4 μm, 7.6 mm3) for Empress than G2 (84.9 μm, 9.9 mm3) while no significant differences were found for e.max. Moreover, Empress significantly showed lower mean height and volume loss than e.max (p<0.0001). SEM data revealed morphological differences on wear characteristics between the two ceramics against Y-TZP. Within the limitations of this study, e.max wear was not affected by Y-TZP surface roughness. However, Empress wear was greater when opposing glazed Y-TZP. Overall, based on our findings, surface glazing on full-contour Y-TZP did not minimize glass-ceramic antagonist wear when compared with as-machined group.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Fabrications of desirable fixed or removable dental prostheses depend upon accurate casts or dies. Recently, the most frequently used impression materials have been polyether (PE) and polyvinyl siloxane (PVS). However, both have their limitations: PVS is inherently hydrophobic, and PE is rigid. In order to take advantage of the desirable qualities of both PVS and PE impression materials, a new generation of impression material is being developed called vinyl polyether silicone (VPES, GC). The purpose of the present study was to compare the properties of hydrophilic PVS, PE, and VPES in regard to surface detail reproduction, contact angle, and tear strength. The hypotheses to be tested were: 1) VPES will show a significant superiority insurface detail reproduction compared with PVS and PE impression materials; 2) VPES will show a significant superiority in wettability compared with PVS and PE impression materials; 3) VPES will show a significant superiority in tear strength compared with PVS and PE impression materials. In order to test the surface detail reproduction, impressions were made of stainless steel dies with a parallel series of 15 different width lines on the surface and tested under dry and moist conditions. The wettability was assessed by contact angles of saturated CaSO4 aqueous solution drops on flat impression surfaces. A trouser tear test was employed to test the tear strength. The trouser-shaped specimens were prepared and tested in the Instron Universal Testing Machine. The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Pearson‘s Chi square, (p < 0.05). All the materials showed better detail reproduction under the dry conditions than the moist conditions. There were no differences between the three materials in detail reproduction when impressing under either moist conditions or dry conditions. All the materials showed good wettability in the contact angle test. PVS rendered a contact angle as low as 34.19º. The contact angle of VPES was 44.84º, which was lower than 54.76º for PE. In the tear strength test, PE showed nearly two time higher tear strength than the other two impression materials. VPES showed slightly lower tear strength than PVS. The tear strength of the three materials tested in increasing order was VPES, PVS, PE. VPES showed comparable detail reproduction to PVS and PE and better wettability than PE, but showed the lowest tear strength compared with PE and PVS.