Submitted in fulfillment of the Degree of Master in Technology: Dental Technology in the Department of Dental Services Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, 2008. / Globally in the field of Dental Technology, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) resin continues to be the popular material for the fabrication of denture bases in removable prosthodontics. However, the mechanical strength of the denture base is a concern due to fractures occurring intra-orally or when accidentally dropped. The objective of this in vitro investigation was therefore to evaluate and compare the flexural strength and microstructure of stick® glass fibre and wire mesh reinforced PMMA resin after thermocycling. The selection of the materials used in this study was based primarily on their popularity and availability in South Africa. These materials were selected to ensure that the results of this study would have further implicational value in the commercial dental industry when published. This investigation was conducted by means of fabricating a total of 90 PMMA resin specimens and divided in three groups consisting of 30 specimens each. Sample groups 1 and 2 were reinforced with stick® glass fibres and wire mesh respectively. The un-reinforced sample group was the control. All 90 specimens were thermocycled in water at temperatures between 5˚C and 55˚C for 2100 cycles. The flexural strength of each specimen was tested using a universal testing machine and the microstructure of the fractured surfaces was then analysed using scanning electron microscopes (SEM). SPSS version 15.0 was used for data analysis. A p-value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Data were analysed using parametric and non-parametric statistical methods. Statistically significant differences in flexural strength existed between the three sample groups (p<0.001) with the stick® glass fibre and wire mesh sample groups being significantly superior to the control. Furthermore there was a significant association between fracture modes and sample groups. Microscopic analysis revealed the presence of voids. Statistically, in terms of microstructure (% of voids present), a significant difference existed between all sample groups. With regards to surface texture of the compression and tension sides of the test specimens, significant differences existed between the three sample groups. Furthermore microscopic analysis revealed partial impregnation and distribution of the fibres to the PMMA resin matrix and un-bonding between the wire mesh and PMMA resin matrix. Statistically, the Mann-Whitney test was conducted to compare flexural strength between sample groups with and without voids. The flexural strength was higher in sample groups with voids than those without. This is an important finding from the clinical perspective because, in some structures of dentures, toughness is a desired property. Nevertheless in order to find the long-term data especially on clinical behaviour of these new fibre reinforcement systems, more studies should be conducted. / DUT Institutional Research Committee

published_or_final_version / Dentistry / Master / Master of Dental Surgery

published_or_final_version / Dentistry / Master / Master of Dental Surgery

published_or_final_version / Dentistry / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

published_or_final_version / Dentistry / Master / Master of Dental Surgery

No description available.

A Thesis presented in the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, 1953 / Investigations have been carried out into the life of various Anion Exchange Resins employed on the Rand for the extraction of uranium from the uranium Leach Liquors. It was found that in the case of the leach liquors produced at the western Reefs pilot plant and at the West Rand Consolidated Uranium plant, the major factor causing a decrease in the efficiency of the Ion exchange resins was the presence of certain chemical poisons in these pregnant solutions. [No abstract provided. Information taken from General Summary] / AC2017

SC-15 epoxy is used in many industrial applications and it is well known that the mechanical and viscoelastic properties of epoxy can be signicantly enhanced when reinforced with nanofillers. In this work, SC-15 epoxy is reinforced by loading with magnetically-active nanofillers and cured in a modest magnetic field. Because of the signicant magnetic response of the nanofillers, this is a low cost and relatively easy technique for imposing a strong magnetic anisotropy to the system without the need of a superconducting magnet. It is also found that this method is an effective way of enhancing the mechanical properties of epoxy. Three systems were prepared and studied. The first is a dilute system of various concentrations of Fe2O3 nanoparticles in SC-15 epoxy. The second system is a combination of Fe2O3 nanoparticles and chemically-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT(COOH)s) in SC-15 epoxy. The third is a dilute system of SWCNT(COOH)s decorated with Fe3O4 particles t hrough a sonochemical oxidation process in SC-15 epoxy. Samples have an initial cure of 6 hrs in a magnetic led of 10 kOe followed by an additional 24 hours of post curing at room temperature. These are compared to the control samples that do not have initial field curing. Tensile and compressive stress-strain analysis of the prepared systems shows that mechanical properties such as tensile strength, tensile modulus and compressive strength are enhanced with the inclusion of these nanofillers. It is also found that there is an anisotropic enhancement of these properties with respect to the imposed curing field. An interesting phenomenon is observed with the increase in modulus of toughness and fracture strain with nanotube inclusion. / These parameters are drastically enhanced after curing the systems in a magnetic field. While there is a modest shift in glass transition temperature during viscoelastic analysis, the thermal stability of the created systems is not compromised. Results of these mechanical enhancements will be compared with other nanoloading techniques from literature. / by Olga Malkina. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2011. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2011. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar, longitudinalmente, o efeito de cinco soluções desinfetantes sobre a microdureza e rugosidade superficial de uma resina acrílica termopolimerizável e três materiais reembasadores rígidos. Um total de 240 corpos de prova circulares (30 X 6mm) foram fabricados, utilizando um material para base de dentaduras (Lucitone 550; n=60), e três materiais rígidos, para reembasamento (Jet; n=60, Kooliner; n=60, Tokuyama rebase II fast; n=60), os quais foram imersos em água (controle), e em cinco soluções desinfetantes (hipoclorito de sódio a 1%, hipoclorito de sódio a 2%, hipoclorito de sódio a 5,25%, glutaraldeído a 2% e gluconato de clorexidina a 4%), e testados para avaliação de microdureza Knoop (KHN) e rugosidade superficial (Ra-µm) em diferentes intervalos (antes das imersões, após 30, 90 e 180 ciclos de desinfecção. Em cada condição experimental foram utilizados 10 corpos de prova de cada material estudado. Os dados foram analisados através de esquema fatorial (6X4) e as médias foram analisadas por meio de análise de variância, seguida por teste de Tukey a 5%. Para as resinas Lucitone 550 (20,61 ± 1,36 a 15,44 ± 1,26 KHN), Jet (18,74 ± 0,47 a 13,75 ± 0,95 KNH), Kooliner (14,09 ± 1,63 a 7,52 ± 0,88 KHN) e Tokuyama rebase II fast (12,57 ± 0,94 a 8,28 ± 0,39 KHN), foi observada uma diminuição significativa dos valores de microdureza, independente da solução utilizada, após 180 ciclos de imersão. Não foi observada interação significativa para a rugosidade da resina Kooliner. Para a resina Lucitone 550 (0,06 ± 0,01 a 0,20 ± 0,02µm) e Jet (0,07 ± 0,01 a 0,23 ± 0,04µm), foi observado aumento significativo dos valores de rugosidade superficial, independente da solução desinfetante utilizada, e a após 180 ciclos de imersão em água, estes materiais mantiveram valores semelhantes ao da avaliação inicial. A resina Tokuyama rebase II fast não mostrou diferenças significativas nos valores de rugosidade superficial quando imersa em água, hipoclorito de sódio a 2%, 5,25% e glutaraldeído a 2%, durante o período do estudo. Ao final da avaliação (180 ciclos), conclui-se que, embora todas as soluções tenham causado redução da microdureza da resina Lucitone 550, os espécimes submetidos às imersões em H5,25% e H2% apresentaram menores valores, no entanto, não ocorreu diferença significante entre os desinfetantes para as resinas autopolimerizáveis. As soluções H1%, H2% e GC4% causaram maior alteração na rugosidade superficial da resina Lucitone 550. Estas mesmas soluções, além de H5,25%, promoveram maior rugosidade na resina Jet, enquanto que, para a resina Tokuyama Rebase II fast, não houve diferença entre os desinfetantes. / The aim of this study was to investigate the longitudinal effect of five disinfection solutions on the hardness and roughness of one heat-polymerizing denture base acrylic resin and three hard chairside resins. A total of 240 circular specimens (30 X 6mm) were fabricated using one denture base material (Lucitone 550; n=60) and three hard chairside reliners (Jet; n=60, Kooliner; n=60, Tokuyama rebase II fast; n=60), which were immersed in water (control), and five disinfecting solutions (1% sodium hypochlorite; 2% sodium hypochlorite; 5,25% sodium hypochlorite, 2% glutaraldehyde; 4% chlorhexidine gluconate) that were tested for knoop hardness (KHN) and roughness (Ra-µm) for different times (before immersions, after 30, 90 and 180 immersion cycles). For each experimental condition, 10 specimens were used from each material. Data was analyzed by factorial scheme (6 X 4) and the means were analyzed by The Variance Analysis which was followed by Tukey\'s test 5%. For Lucitone 550 (from 20,61 ± 1,36 to 15,44 ± 1,26 KHN), Jet (from 18,74 ± 0,47 to 13,75 ± 0,95 KHN), Kooliner (from 14,09 ± 1,63 to 7,52 ± 0,88 KHN), Tokuyama rebase II fast (from 12,57 ± 0,94 to 8,28 ± 0,39 KHN) significant decrease in hardness was observed regardless of the solution used, after 180 immersion cycles. No significant interactions were observed for Kooliner roughness. Between Lucitone (from 0,06 ± 0,01 to 0,20 ± 0,02µm) and Jet, (from 0,07 ± 0,01 to 0,23 ± 0,04µm) there was a significant increase in roughness regardless of the disinfectant solution used; Jet showed significant increase in roughness after immersion in water for 180 cycles. Tokuyama rebase II fast showed no significant differences in roughness when immersed in water, 2% sodium hypochlorite, 5.25% sodium hypochlorite, and 2% glutaraldehyde after 180 cycles. In conclusion, this study showed that Lucitone 550 specimens exhibited significant decrease in hardness regardless of the disinfection solution used, and the specimens immersed in H5,25% and H2% showed lower hardness values; However, no significant differences were noted between all disinfectants solution, for hard chairside resins. The solutions H1%, H2% and GC4% caused more alteration in roughness of Lucitone 550. These solutions along with H5,25% caused an increase in the roughness of Jet, while with the Tokuyama rebase II fast there was no difference between the disinfection solutions.

O objetivo desse estudo foi investigar longitudinalmente, o efeito de sucessivos ciclos de desinfecção sobre as propriedades de microdureza e rugosidade superficial de 4 diferentes resinas acrílicas. Foram confeccionados 200 corpos de prova, utilizando um material para base de dentaduras (Lucitone 550) e três materiais rígidos para reembasamento (Jet, Kooliner e Tokuyama Rebase II Fast), os quais foram divididos, para cada resina, em cinco grupos: imersos em água (controle) e submetidos à irradiação por microondas em quatro combinações diferentes de potência-tempo. Esses grupos foram avaliados em relação à rugosidade superficial (Ra-µm) e microdureza Knoop (KHN) em um período anterior às desinfecções e após 30, 90 e 180 ciclos de desinfecção. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância, seguida por teste de Tukey a 5%. As principais alterações nos valores de microdureza (diminuição) e rugosidade superficial (aumento) ocorreram após 30 ciclos de desinfecção em microondas. Após esse período existiu uma tendência para a estabilização dos valores dessas propriedades, mesmo quando ciclos adicionais (90 e 180 ciclos) foram realizados. Os tratamentos empregados para os diferentes grupos experimentais (diferentes combinações de potência-tempo) não foram os principais fatores que tiveram influência sobre a propriedade de microdureza. É provável que a redução dos valores de microdureza tenha sido mais dependente da sorpção de água do que da energia de microondas por si só. O principal efeito sobre a microdureza através da irradiação por microondas parece ser o efeito da água. A exposição da prótese a fluidos como água e saliva é uma condição que não pode ser evitada. Esse comportamento não foi observado para a rugosidade superficial. Os tratamentos empregados para os diferentes grupos experimentais (diferentes combinações de potência-tempo) tiveram influência sobre a propriedade de rugosidade superficial. De maneira geral observou-se que os valores de rugosidade superficial dos espécimes somente imersos em água foram menores do que os valores dos espécimes irradiados. Apesar da rugosidade de alguns espécimes ter ficado acima de 0.2 um, isso não parece contra-indicar a desinfecção por microondas. As técnicas convencionais de acabamento e polimento aplicadas para as outras superfícies dificilmente atingem níveis de rugosidade superficial inferiores a 0,2 µm. Dessa maneira parece ser prudente a afirmação de que a desinfecção através da energia de microondas pode ser utilizada para a desinfecção de próteses. / The objective of this study was to investigate the longitudinal effect of microwave disinfection on the hardness and roughness of one heat-polymerizing denture base acrylic resin and three hard chairside resins. A total of 200 specimens were fabricated using one denture base material (Lucitone 550; n=50) and three hard chairside reliners (Jet; n=50, Kooliner; n=50, Tokuyama Rebase II Fast; n=50), which were immersed in water (control), and submitted to microwave disinfection at four different arrangements of power and time. These specimens were tested for knoop hardness (KHN) and roughness (Ra-µm) for different times (before disinfection, after 30, 90 and 180 disinfection cycles). Data were analyzed by Variance Analysis which was followed by the Turkey\'s test at a level of 5%. The principal alterations on hardness (reduction) and on roughness (elevation) occurred after 30 disinfection cycles. Both of the properties remained stable after this period, even after 90 and 180 disinfection cycles. The different arrangements of power and time carried out for the experimental groups did not have influence on hardness. It is possible that this property was more affected from water sorption than microwave energy only. During its clinical use, the denture is exposed to water and saliva and it seems that this condition cannot be prevented. This fact was not observed for roughness. The different arrangements of power and time carried out for the experimental groups had influence on roughness. It was observed that the control group had lower roughness values when compared to the experimental groups. The roughness values of some specimens were greater than 0.2 um. However, this fact does not compromise the indication of microwave disinfection. The finishing and polishing techniques commonly used for the other surfaces of the denture do not get roughness values below 0.2 um. Therefore, it is very likely that microwave disinfection could be recommended for the disinfection of dentures.