THE EFFECT OF TWO DIFFERENT PROCESSING TECHNIQUES ( WATER BATH AND CHEMICAL POLYMERIZATION ) ON THE TRANSVERSE STRENGTH OF COLD CURE ACRYLIC RESIN DENTURE BASE

Abstract

This study aimed at evaluating the transverse strength of cold cured acrylic resin denture base as an alternative material for heat cure acrylic resin denture base material when processed in water bath. 30 samples of (65mm length X 10mm width X 2.5mm thickness) were made for transverse strength test. There were 3 experimental groups, (n = 10 per group): G1) heat cure acrylic resin (fast way- water bath curing) as a control group; G2) cold cure acrylic resin (fast way- water bath curing); G3) cold cure acrylic resin (slow way- chemical curing). Transverse strength was assessed after specimens were completely cured, finished and polished. The results revealed that the cold cure acrylic specimens which processed in water bath at 74ºC for (1 ½ hr) then 100ºC for ½ hr have better transverse strength than cold cure acrylic which polymerized under hydraulic press for (2 hrs) in spite of the curing time equivalence .