Basic properties of PMMA reinforced using ceramics particles of ZrO₂-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ Coated with Two types of coupling agents

In this study, novel composites materials composed of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) reinforced ZrO₂-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ filler system were developed. Zirconia-alumina-silica filler system were synthesized through sol-gel technique. Chitosan and trimethoxypropilsilane (TMPS) were used to modify the composites system. The resulting composites material were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and hardness test. SEM images displayed the composites particles in nanometer size with minor agglomeration. The XRD results revealed the presence of cubic and tetragonal phase of zirconia and also monoclinic silica phases in the composites system. These crystallographic characteristic could affect the mechanical properties of the composites. The hardness value for un-modified composites was 15.27 ± 0.25 VHN and for TMPS 19.43 ± 1.89 VHN and chitosan modification 18.75 ± 2.05 VHN, respectively. Therefore, these novel composites materials composed of PMMA reinforced filler system of zirconia-alumina-silica would provide the potential to apply in dental technology.