Effect of barium silicate filler content on mechanical properties of resin nanoceramics for additive manufacturing

PURPOSEThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of barium silicate filler contents on mechanical properties of resin nanoceramics (RNCs) for additive manufacturing (AM). MATERIALS AND METHODSAdditively manufactured RNC specimens were divided into 4 groups depending on the content of ceramic fillers and polymers: 0% barium silicate and 100% polymer (B0/P10, control group); 50% barium silicate and 50% polymer (B5/P5); 60% barium silicate and 40% polymer (B6/P4); 67% barium silicate and 33% polymer (B6.7/P3.3). The compressive strength (n = 15) and fracture toughness (n = 12) of the specimens were measured, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analyses were performed. Independent sample Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed on the compressive strength and fracture toughness test results, and the significance of each group was analyzed at the 95% confidence interval through post-tests using the Bonferroni's method. RESULTSB6/P4 and B6.7/P3.3 exhibited much higher yield strength than B0/P10 and B5/P5 (P < .05). Compared to the control group (B0/P10), the other three groups exhibited higher ultimate strength (P < .05). The fracture toughness of B6/P4 and B6.7/P3.3 were similar (P > .05). The content of barium silicate and fracture toughness showed a positive correlation coefficient (R = 0.582). SEM and EDS analyses revealed the presence of an oval-shaped ceramic aggregate in B6/P4 specimens, whereas the ceramic filler and polymer substrate were homogeneously mixed in B6.7/P3.3. CONCLUSIONIncreasing the ceramic filler content improves the mechanical properties, but it can be accompanied by a decrease in the flowability and the homogeneity of the slurry.