Effect of dilution on the kinetics of cross-linking thermal polymerization of dental composite matrix resins.

The effect of dilution of 2,2-bis-(4-(2-hydroxy-3-methacryloxyprop-1oxy) phenyl) propane (bis-GMA) with triethylene glycol demethacrylate (TEGDMA) on the extent of polymerization, Ep, has been studied using differential scanning calorimetry. The isothermal and dynamic measurements indicate that the Ep is affected dramatically by dilution. The residual polymerization was also found to be strongly influenced by dilution. However, the apparent activation energy, Eapp, was found to be independent of dilution.