title: Flexural properties of glass fiber reinforced composite with multiphase biopolymer matrix.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate flexural properties of glass fiber-reinforced composites with a multiphase biopolymer matrix. Continuous unidirectional E-glass fibers were preimpregnated with a novel biopolymer of poly(hydroxyproline) amide and ester. The preimpregnated fibers were then further impregnated in a co-monomer system of Bis-GMA-TEGDMA, which formed semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPN) with the preimpregnated polymer. After light initiated polymerization of the monomer system, rectangular shaped bar specimens (n = 4) were tested by the three-point bending test. The control material was a fiber-reinforced composite with a Bis-GMA-TEDGMA-matrix only. The mean flexural strength of poly(hydroxyproline) amide preimpregnated fiber composite was higher than that of the control (FS = 888 vs. 805 MPa). The poly(hydroxyproline) ester preimpregnated fibers resulted in lower strength (FS = 541 MPa). The results of this study suggest that preimpregnation of glass fibers with poly(hydroxyproline) amide and the use of such fibers in fiber-reinforced composites with IPN polymer matrices, can reach relatively high mechanical properties.
authors.affiliation: Turku Centre for Biomaterials, Institute of Dentistry, University of Turku, Itäinen Pitkäkatu 4B, FIN-20520, Turku, Finland. marju.vakiparta@utu.fi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Väkiparta
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yli-Urpo
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Vallittu
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001704:Biopolymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D001704:Biopolymers; D003764:Dental Materials; D010455:Peptides