Effect of Glass Fiber Incorporation on Flexural Properties of Experimental Composites

This study evaluated the effect of fiber addiction in flexural properties of 30 wt% silica filled BisGMA resin (FR) or unfilled BisGMA (UR). Ten groups were created (N = 10) varying the resin (FR or UR) and quantity of glass fibers (wt%: 0, 10, 15, 20, and 30). Samples (10 x 2 x 1 mm) were submitted to flexural strength test following SEM examination. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA, Tukey, and Student t-test (alpha = 0.05). Results for flexural strength (MPa) were FR-groups: 0% (442.7 +/- 140.6)(C), 10% (772.8 +/- 446.3)(ABC), 15% (854.7 +/- 297.3)(AB), 20% (863.4 +/- 418.0)(A), 30% (459.5 +/- 140.5)(BC); UR-groups: 0% (187.7 +/- 120.3)(B), 10% (795.4 +/- 688.1)(B), 15% (1999.9 +/- 1258.6)(A), 20% (1911.5 +/- 596.8)(A), and 30% (2090.6 +/- 656.7)(A), and for flexural modulus (GPa) FR-groups: 0% (2065.63 +/- 882.15)(B), 10% (4479.06 +/- 3019.82)(AB), 15% (5694.89 +/- 2790.3)(A), 20% (6042.11 +/- 3392.13)(A), and 30% (2495.67 +/- 1345.86)(B); UR-groups: 0% (1090.08 +/- 708.81)(C), 10% (7032.13 +/- 7864.53)(BC), 15% (19331.57 +/- 16759.12)(AB), 20% (15726.03 +/- 8035.09)(AB), and 30%(29364.37 +/- 13928.96)(A). Fiber addiction in BisGMA resin increases flexural properties, and the interaction between resin and fibers seems better in the absence of inorganic fillers increasing flexural properties.