A micro-mechanics model of dentin mechanical properties.

Application of a micro-mechanics cell model to dentin composites for determination of their effective mechanical properties is discussed in this paper. The dilute micro-mechanics model for fibre-reinforced composites is utilized and the corresponding cell model is chosen to consist of a circular hollow cylinder filled with liquid or gas phase, which is surrounded by two circular cylindrical shells, a thin shell and a matrix phase. Each layer of cylindrical shell is here considered as a composite consisting of collagen fibrils, with mineralized hydroxyapatite, loosely connected to their neighbours, and water (or gas in the case of dry dentin composite). Determination of the effective material properties of such a three phase composite is discussed. Using the cell model the effect of porosity, thickness of each cylindrical shell, and mineral content on material properties is analysed. Results obtained from nano-indentation observations are compared with numerical predictions of the analytical model.