Volume fraction fine filler

Resin composites can be classified according to filler particles as fine-particle, hybrid, microhybrid and microfilled other classifications such as flowable or packable are related to their manipulation [1-3]. Quartz and glass (several types) fillers in fine-particle composites have sizes of about 0.5 to 3 pm. Microfilled and hybrid composites contain colloidal silica particles of 0.01 to 0.02 pm diameter incorporated in the polymer matrix. The microfilled composites also contain these submicron particles in groimd 10 to 20 pm filler particles of the polymerized oligomers. The filler volume fraction for composite products varies widely from about 20% to 70%. Clinical selection of composites depends upon strength, wear resistance and esthetics needed for the particular tooth restoration. 

Fig. 1. Scanning electron microscope images of cross sections of poly (methyl methacrylate) filled with equal volume fractions of two different particle size Al(OH)3 fillers, (a) 55% coarse particles (b) 55% fine particles...

In a search for the defining structural parameter of a composite, the free volume of disperse system proved to be the most sound one from the physical standpoint Presumably, for disperse systems the free volume is a measure of the mobility of filler particles, just as for liquids it is a measure of the mobility of molecules. But as applied to highly-loaded coarse systems of the type solid particles — liquid — gas this notion requires a certain correction. In characterizing the structure of such specific systems as highly-loaded coarse composites, it should be noted that to prevent their settling and separation into layers under the action of vibration, the concentration of the finest filler fraction with the largest specific surface in dispersion medium should be the maximum possible. Because of this and also because of the small size of particles (20-40 pm), the fine fraction suspended in the dispersion medium practically does not participate in the formation of the composite skeleton, which consists of coarser particles. Therefore... 

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