![]() | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Aim: This study is designed to evaluate the effect of adding an experimentally prepared microcapsule containing healing liquid to commercially available flowable composite on its fracture toughness and healing crack efficiency. Furthermore, the effect of water storage on the fracture toughness of the prepared self-healing composites will be investigated. Methodology: Seventy composite specimens were divided into two groups according to the material used, C: comprised of as-received commercially available flowable while HC: commercially available flowable composite modified by adding self-healing microcapsule. Preloading of the specimens with a fixed load (60 N) was done before the storage period. Each group was then subdivided according to the time of measuring the fracture toughness after the time of water storage: three- and 30 days. The crack healing efficiency of HC group was evaluated mechanically, chemically, and morphologically. The FTIR, SEM and EDX analyses were used for chemical, morphological and elemental composition, respectively after both time intervals. Statistical significance level was set at p ≤0.005. Results: HC group revealed a significant difference between the fracture toughness (KIC) was recorded after both time intervals. There was a significant difference of KIC recorded after three days of water storage between both groups with no significant difference between them after 30 days storage. Moreover, there was statistically significant between the crack healing efficiency of the two groups with the higher percentage recorded for HC group (19%±2.53). Conclusion: HC group revealed an improvement in the fracture toughness and healing efficiency when compared to the control group. After 30 days of water storage, a significant reduction in the fracture toughness of HC group compared to that after three days storage. |