Evaluation of mechanical properties of new elastomer material applicable for dental 3D printer

Abstract Purpose Digital technology has advanced and changed clinical dentistry. The utility of various thermoplastic materials for 3D dental printing has not been thoroughly explored. The aim of this study was to evaluate mechanical properties of a new MMA-based thermoplastic material applicable for a dental 3D printer. Material & Method: Three thermoplastic elastomers: ABS, PLA and an acrylic block copolymer and a dental self-curing resin were used in this study. Physical properties were evaluated by measuring water sorption (WS), dimensional accuracy (DA), ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and shear bond strength (SBS) to PMMA. For WS and DA, specimens were measured by weight and length respectively after desiccation and immersion in 37 °C distilled water for 1 day, 1 week and 1 month. For UTS, the specimens were prepared according to ISO 527-2-5A and the specimens were loaded to test the ultimate tensile strength at a crosshead speed of 5 mm/min after storage in 37 °C distilled water for 24 h and 1 month. For SBS, PMMA self-curing resin was filled in a Teflon ring which was mounted onto polished specimens to make the adhesive area. The prepared specimens were tested for shear bond strength after storage in 37 °C distilled water for 24 h and 37 °C distilled water for 24 h followed by 10000 times thermal cycling. The data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA, two-way ANOVA and t-test with Bonferroni correction at 95% confidence level. Result The WS value of PMMA was significantly higher than those of the other materials after 1 day (p   0.05). The SBS of Kurarity was the lowest among the materials before thermal cycling (p   0.05). Conclusion The acrylic block copolymer demonstrated acceptable physical properties, suggesting the potential to be a material to make provisional restorations for a dental 3D printer.