Comparison of the visco-elastic behavior of a pre-impregnated reinforced glass fiber composite with resin-based composite

Objectives The visco-elastic behavior of a pre-impregnated reinforced glass fiber composite (everStick®) was compared with a resin-based particulate composite (Filtek™ P60) by using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) to determine their storage modulus (E′) and damping ratio (tan δ). Methods These materials were subjected to three-point bend tests using a PerkinElmer DMA7. In temperature mode, the temperature was increased from 26 to 140 °C at 1 Hz. In frequency mode, the range was 1–10 Hz at a constant temperature of 37 °C. Results In both temperature and frequency modes, E′ for everStick® was significantly higher and tan δ was significantly lower than those for Filtek™ P60, indicating that the stiffness of the pre-impregnated glass fiber composite was higher and its damping property was lower than those for resin-based particulate composite. Significance The glass fiber restorative composite appears to absorb less energy in repeated stress and is less likely to retain external energy as residual stress.