Composite Curing Methods
Composite Curing Methods
Composite curing means toughening or hardening of a composite made from several different materials. this is achieved using chemical additives, or with the use of visible lights.
It is available as a two- paste system composed of a Catalyst and a Base material . One part contains an organic amine accelerator and the other part includes a peroxide initiator. Catalyst and Base materials are usually mixed in a ratio of approximately 1:1 . Their polymerization process is chemically activated . It does not need any special equipments .
Disadvantages :
1- Air incorporation during mixing result in greater internal porosity , reduce wear resistance and staining. 2- The working time is restricted by the speed of chemical reaction . 3- Color stability is less stable because of eventual breakdown of the polymerization initiating chemical ingredients , tertiary amines .
It is supplied as single paste system. Polymerization is either by ultraviolet or visible light . The use of UV Light is replaced with visible light curing system due to:
( retina and self tissue damages, low curing depth 1.5 mm )
Photo initiator (camphoroquinone) is added to initiate polymerization It absorbs visible light of wavelength (400-500)
Its placed incrementally and each layer is cured for 20 to 30 seconds by holding the light source close to it.
2- Better wear resistance 3- Reduced porosity 4- Greater curing depth (up to 2 mm) 5- More color stable
Its generate high heat energy so filters are used to reduce the emitted heat energy.
The setting time required for QTH is (20 40 sec). Its inexpensive and most widely used. Disadvantages :
1- The bulbs, filters and reflectors in the optical system degrade with time, and so reduce light output.
2- The power density of the light decreases dramatically with distance.
3 - Argon Laser
Laser can emit light at specific wavelengths as a result of the excitation of atoms of Argon gas to specific energy levels.
Dual cure means chemical initiation is used and combined with photochemical initiation so either and both techniques polymerize composite. Common photochemical initiator are: Camphoroquinone Acenaphthene quinone Benzyl Photochemical initiator is activated by visible, blue light to produce slow reactions. Amines are added to accelerate curing time.
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