Preparation And Properties Of AgZ/Silicone Composite Soft Lining Material

To test dispersity and physical properties of antimicrobial RTV silicone denture soft lining materials, silver-zirconium phosphate nano-inorganic antimicrobial agent were added into the substance of silicone soft liner to prepare the AgZ/silicone composite. The surface morphology and the distribution of AgZ was observed. The mechanical properties and operational performances of the composite were tested to evaluate the influence of AgZ addition on mechanical properties and operational performances and provide a theoretical basis on its clinical application.1. Preparation of the composite:The antibacterial agent was added into the matrix of silicone soft lining material by the proportion of 2%,5%, and 10% of total mass. Silver-zirconium phosphate nano-inorganic antimicrobial agent was added into silicone soft lining materials using the method of high shear emulsification dispersion. Then the test specimens of the composite were made as Group B, C and D. According to the clinical requirements of denture soft lining material, standard test specimens of the control group (silicone without antimicrobial agent, Group A) were prepared. The surface morphology of the test group and the control group were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).2. Mechanical properties test:The mechanical properties including tensile strength, peeling strength, hardness and roughness were tested in the three test group sand control group samples. The experimental data were treated by statistical method. The influences of AgZ addition on mechanical properties were evaluated.3. Operational performances test: The operational performances including mixing time, consistency, working time and setting time were tested in the test group and control group samples. The experimental data were treated by statistical method. The influences of AgZ addition on operational performances were evaluated.1. Material Preparation and surface morphology observation: The composite of silver-zirconium phosphate and silicone was prepared and the surface morphology was observed under SEM. Silver-zirconium phosphates were uniformly dispersed in silicone soft lining material and no obvious agglomeration was observed.2. Results of the mechanical properties test: Compared to the control group, Tensile strength hardness, peeling strength and roughness of experimental material were significantly improved (p<0.05), but differences were not significant among experimental groups. Only hardness of Group D with mass ratio of 10% were significantly higher than the control group (p<0.05).3. Results of the operational performances test: Compared to the control group, the mixing time experimental material were significantly prolonged (p<0.05). The differences of consistency, working time and setting time were not statistically significant (p>0.05).1. Silver-zirconium phosphate can be homogenized in silicone soft lining material by high shear emulsification dispersion. This method is an effective way, which has a lot advantages such as time, energy and cost saving.2. Silver-zirconium phosphate can improve the mechanical properties of silicone. Tensile strength, peel strength and roughness of the composite which was prepared by using high shear emulsification dispersion can be improved comparing with the silicone without antimicrobial agent. Hardness was not significantly increased when proportion of AgZ was no more than 5%.3. Mixing time of the experimental material was significantly prolonged. The consistency was slightly increased while working time and setting time was shortened a bit.4. Combined with results of antimicrobial experiment before, Group B with mass ratio of 5% has good antimicrobial properties and relatively small changes in operational performance while antimicrobial agent is uniformly dispersed and mechanical properties are significantly improved.