Effect of silver nitrate on some mechanical properties of heat polymerizing acrylic resins

Abstract

Aim: The aimed study was to evaluate the influence of silver nitrate on surface
hardness and tensile strength of acrylic resins.
Materials and methods: A total of 60 specimens were made from heat polymerizing
resins. Two mechanical tests were utilized (surface hardness and tensile strength)
and 4 experimental groups according to the concentration of silver nitrate used.
The specimens without the use of silver nitrate were considered as control. For
tensile strength, all specimens were subjected to force till fracture. For surface
hardness, the specimens were tested via a durometer hardness tester. All
specimens data were analyzed via ANOVA and Tukey tests.
Results: The addition of silver nitrate to acrylic resins reduced significantly the
tensile strength. Statistically, highly significant differences were found among all
groups (P≤0.001). Also, the difference between control and experimental groups
was highly significant (P≤0.001). For surface hardness, the silver nitrate improved
the surface hardness of acrylics. Highly significant differences were statistically
observed between control and 900 ppm group (P≤0.001); and among all groups
(P≤0.001)with exception that no significant differences between control and
150ppm; and between 150ppm and 900ppm groups(P>0.05).
Conclusion: The addition of silver nitrate to acrylics reduced significantly the tensile
strength and improved slightly the surface hardness.