Abstract
Five types of BisMPEPP monomers with different side chain lengths were prepared from a commercial BisMPEPP monomer mixture in order to investigate the structural effect on the mechanical and physical properties of their polymers. The mechanical properties (transverse strength, elastic modulus, compressive strength, and Knoop hardness) decreased with increasing the side chain lengths of BisMPEPP monomers, but the water sorption value increased. There were no significant differences between the diametral tensile strength of each polymer. BisGMA polymer showed higher values for elastic modulus (in dry conditions) and Knoop hardness (in dry and wet conditions) than BisMPEPP polymers. The decrease in the mechanical properties of BisGMA polymer in water was larger than those of the others. It was found that the mechanical and physical properties of these polymers largely depended on their structural nature, especially the segmental mobility of their side chains.
