Effect of temperature on the flow properties of resin composite.

This study evaluated the effect of temperature on the flow characteristics of three different resin composites: a packable, a microhybrid, and a flowable. The film thickness of the three composites was measured at 21 degrees C, 41 degrees C, 61 degrees C, and 83 degrees C (+/- 1.0 degrees C). Five tests were performed for each resin composite at each of the four test temperatures for a total of 60 tests. The resin composite film thickness decreased as the filler percentage decreased and the temperature increased. The film thickness decrease was a logarithmic fit with a high correlation coefficient. All of the resin composites exhibited increased flow at elevated temperature. The flow property of the packable material at 41-61 degrees C was similar to that of the microhybrid at room temperature.