title: Mechanical evaluation of five flowable resin composites by the dynamic micro-indentation method.
abstract: Measurement of the strength of brittle materials, such as resin composites, is extremely difficult. Micro-indentation hardness testing is a convenient way of investigating the mechanical properties of a small volume of material. In this study, the mechanical properties of five commercially available flowable resin composites were investigated by the dynamic micro-indentation method. Additionally, the effects of inorganic-filler content on the dynamic hardness and elastic modulus of flowable composites obtained by this method were investigated. The weight percentages of the inorganic fillers in the resin composites were determined by the ashing technique. The results indicate that the mechanical properties of flowable composites are affected by not only the filler content but also the properties of the resin matrix. In conclusion, the dynamic micro-indentation method is a useful technique for determining the mechanical behavior of dental resin composites as brittle material.
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative Dentistry, School of Dentistry at Matsudo, Nihon University, Matsudo, Japan.
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hirayama
authors.affiliation: Department of Operative Dentistry, School of Dentistry at Matsudo, Nihon University, Matsudo, Japan.
authors.forename: Hirotoshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Iwai
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Biomaterials, School of Dentistry at Matsudo, Nihon University, Matsudo, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tanimoto
keywords: Flowable resin composites; dynamic hardness; dynamic micro-indentation method; elastic modulus; inorganic-filler content