Abstract
A series of six experimental dental copolymers of different compositions has been prepared from new synthesized Bis-GMA-type oligomers and triethyleneglicol dimethacrylate by photochemical initiation of polymerization. The paper studies the influence of the chemical composition upon the extent of polymerization, mechanical properties and water sorption of the experimental copolymers. The corresponding commercial Bis-GMA-based copolymers were used as control. The extent of the polymerization, determined by FTIR method, ranged between 61.67% for the new copolymers containing 75% bis-GMA-type oligomers and 79.6% for the new copolymers containing 50% bis-GMA-type oligomers in the matrix. From the comparison of the mechanical properties, we came to the conclusion that the values for compressive strengths and diametral tensile strengths were in the same range to those obtained for the corresponding commercial Bis-GMA-based copolymers, while the flexural strength values were higher than the values for to corresponding control copolymers. The water sorption values were in the limit of clinical requirements. Keywords: dental resins, extent of polymerization, mechanical properties, water sorption