A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Effect of Nitrogen Gas Post-Curing and Printer Type on the Mechanical Properties of 3D-Printed Hard Occlusal Splint Material
Authors: Wada Junichiro, Wada Kanae, Gibreel Mona, Wakabayashi Noriyuki, Iwamoto Tsutomu, Vallittu Pekka K, Lassila Lippo
Publisher: MDPI
Publication year: 2022
Journal: Polymers
Journal name in source: POLYMERS
Journal acronym: POLYMERS-BASEL
Article number: 3971
Volume: 14
Issue: 19
Number of pages: 12
eISSN: 2073-4360
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14193971
Web address : https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/19/3971
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/176864592
Although three-dimensional (3D) printing is clinically convenient to fabricate occlusal splints, it is still unclear how the post-curing method and the printer type can affect 3D-printed splints. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of stroboscopic post-curing at a nitrogen gas (N-2) atmosphere versus post-curing in an air atmosphere, as well as the printer type (liquid crystal display (LCD) and digital light processing (DLP)) on the mechanical properties of a 3D-printed hard-type occlusal splint material. Flexural strength, flexural modulus, Vickers hardness number (VHN), fracture toughness, degree of double bond conversion (DC), 3D microlayer structure, water sorption, and water solubility were evaluated. The post-curing method significantly affected all evaluated properties except fracture toughness and 3D microlayer structure, while the printer type significantly affected all evaluated properties except flexural strength and flexural modulus. VHN and DC were significantly higher, and the smoother surface was noticeably obtained when printed by LCD printer and post-cured at an N-2 atmosphere. The current results suggested that the post-curing method and the printer type would play a role in the mechanical properties of the evaluated material and that the combination of post-curing at an N-2 atmosphere and LCD printer could enhance its mechanical properties and surface smoothness.
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