Resin Composites Reinforced by Glass Fibers with Potential Biomedical Applications. Structure and Mechanical Properties

A series of new biomedical resin composites based on 2,2-bis[4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloyloxypropoxy)-phenyl]propane/triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate resin reinforced with alkaline resistant (AR) glass fibers and BaSO4 powder in different ratios were prepared. The mechanical properties—that is, compressive strength (CS), flexural strength (FS), and flexural modulus (FM)—were determined. The results showed an increase of FS and FM and a slight decrease of CS with an increasing amount of glass fibers. Results revealed that CS increases in the following order: light-curing composites < self-curing composites < dual-curing composites. Structure of the resin composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy of the fractured surface of composites after the FS test at different fiber amounts. Atomic force microscopy images of the polished surface of composites showed an increasing surface roughness with increasing filler content.