Thermoanalytical characterization of visible light cure dental composites.

Selected commercial and experimental composites and resin systems have been evaluated by thermal analysis techniques of Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Thermogravimetric Analysis and Thermomechanical Analysis. Important thermal data such as heat of cure, coefficient of thermal expansion, dimensional changes over selected temperature ranges, filler weight percent, onset temperature of decomposition, etc. have been determined. Heat of cure, thermal expansion coefficient and dimensional changes appear to follow an inverse linear regression fit with filler fraction in the composite. Thermal expansion changes and exothermic reactions with temperature indicate secondary cure during postcure heating. The thermally-induced decomposition occurs in multiple stages indicating presence of different structural species in the resin matrix.