Polymerization contraction stress in thin resin composite layers as a function of layer thickness

OBJECTIVES: In the present study, the effect of layer thickness on the curing stress in thin resin composite layers was investigated. Since the value of the contraction stress is dependent on the compliance of the measuring equipment (especially for thin films), a method to determine the compliance of the test apparatus was tested. METHODS: A chemically initiated resin composite (Clearfil F2, Kuraray) was inserted between two sandblasted and silane-coated stainless steel discs in a tensilometer. The curing contraction of the cylindrical samples was continuously counteracted by feedback displacement of the tensilometer crosshead, and the curing stress development was registered. After 20 min, the samples were loaded in tension until fracture. The curing stress was determined for layer thicknesses of 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 microns, 1.4 mm and 2.7 mm. The compliance of the apparatus was calculated with the aid of a non-linear regression analysis, using an equation derived from Hooke's Law as the model. RESULTS: None of the samples fractured due to contraction stress prior to tensile loading. The contraction stress after 20 min decreased from 23.3 +/- 5.3 MPa for the 50 microns layer to 5.5 +/- 0.6 MPa for the 2.7 mm layer. The compliance on the apparatus was 0.029 mm/MPa. SIGNIFICANCE: A measuring method was developed which was found to be suitable for the determination of axial polymerization contraction stress in this films of chemically initiated resin composites. The method makes it possible to estimate the stress levels that occur in resin composite films in the clinical situation.