Mechanical Properties of Glass Ionomer Cement for Dental Restorative Material

Abstract

In this study, mechanical properties of glass ionomer cement (GIC) with epoxy resin were synthesized to improve mechanical properties of GIC for clinical dentistry. GIC samples werecharacterized by XRD, SEM and tensile tests using Universal Testing machine (UTM). The glassIonomers cement did not show any sharp peaks on XRD pattern and demonstrated amorphous material in nature. SEM images did not depict any definite shape of used material. The EDX spectrum of glassionomers cement displayed the main peaks of Al,Ca, F, Na and Si elements. Mechanical tests wereperformed using UTM Instron 5966, U.K. Young modulus was improved with the concentration of GIC (1wt. % to 3 wt. %) adding epoxy resins material. Tensile tests of glass ionomer cementshowed the highest value of Young modulus at (3 wt. %) concentration of GIC due to excessivecohesive forces and higher bonding strength at higher concentration. This study concludes that mechanical properties of glass ionomer cement have been improved using epoxy resins for dental restorative material for clinical application.