title: Flexural properties of polyethylene, glass and carbon fiber-reinforced resin composites for prosthetic frameworks.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  High flexural properties are needed for fixed partial denture or implant prosthesis to resist susceptibility to failures caused by occlusal overload. The aim of this investigation was to clarify the effects of four different kinds of fibers on the flexural properties of fiber-reinforced composites.
  
  
  METHODS
  Polyethylene fiber, glass fiber and two types of carbon fibers were used for reinforcement. Seven groups of specimens, 2 × 2 × 25 mm, were prepared (n = 10 per group). Four groups of resin composite specimens were reinforced with polyethylene, glass or one type of carbon fiber. The remaining three groups served as controls, with each group comprising one brand of resin composite without any fiber. After 24-h water storage in 37°C distilled water, the flexural properties of each specimen were examined with static three-point flexural test at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to the control without any fiber, glass and carbon fibers significantly increased the flexural strength (p < 0.05). On the contrary, the polyethylene fiber decreased the flexural strength (p < 0.05). Among the fibers, carbon fiber exhibited higher flexural strength than glass fiber (p < 0.05). Similar trends were observed for flexural modulus and fracture energy. However, there was no significant difference in fracture energy between carbon and glass fibers (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fibers could, therefore, improve the flexural properties of resin composite and carbon fibers in longitudinal form yielded the better effects for reinforcement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occlusion and Removable Prosthodontics, Okayama University Hospital , Okayama , Japan.
authors.forename: Yukinori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Maruo
authors.forename: Goro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nishigawa
authors.forename: Masao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Irie
authors.forename: Kumiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoshihara
authors.forename: Shogo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Minagi
mesh_terms: D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D003764:Dental Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D019094:Dental Prosthesis, Implant-Supported; D003799:Dental Stress Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation; D003779:Denture Design; D003830:Denture, Partial, Fixed; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D055115:Light-Curing of Dental Adhesives / Q000379:methods; D008422:Materials Testing; D018583:Pliability; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000737:chemistry*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000077482:Carbon Fiber; D003188:Composite Resins; D003764:Dental Materials; C009753:fiberglass; D014867:Water; D002244:Carbon; D020959:Polyethylene
keywords: Flexural property; carbon fiber; glass fiber; polyethylene fiber; resin composite