| dc.description.abstract | Several efforts have been done to strengthen and improve the mechanical properties of poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA). The current study also tried to investigate addition of hydroxyapatite nanofiber (n-HA) to PMMA on its flexural, impact strength and wettability. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, a control group that only included conventional thermosetting acrylic resin and four test groups, each containing acrylic resin plus 0.5 wt%, 1 wt%, 2 wt%, and 4 wt% n-HA were selected. After mixing n-HA with resin, the mixture was processed at standard flask. The flexural strength, impact strength and wettability of samples were measured. Mean SD and ANOVA test were used for statistical analysis. P value <0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Although the flexural strength of reinforced acrylic resin with 0.5 wt% and 1 wt% were increased 25.5% and 23.5%, respectively, no significant difference was found in mean flexural strength between test groups (p> 0.05). Impact strength increase between experimental groups was significant (p <0.05). The highest increase in impact strength was observed in 1% and by increasing the amount of n-HA to 4% no significant change compared to 1 wt% was observed. There was a direct relationship between the wettability properties and the amount of n-HA in various samples. Conclusion: Addition of 1 wt% n-HA fibers to the heat cured acrylic resin results in 23% increases in the flexural strength and elevates impact strength to 115%. | |
