Abstract
To evaluate the water-absorbing properties of polymers including HEMA and adhesive monomers, an HEMA homopolymer(PHEMA), copolymers consisting of MMA and HEMA or adhesive monomers [(P(HEMA/MMA), P(MDP/MMA), P(Phenyl-P/MMA), and P(4-META/MMA)], and an MMA homopolymer(PMMA) were prepared and their water absorption, solubility, and compressive strength were measured. Water absorption increased with an rose in the underwater storage period up to 3 months in all the tested polymers, being largest in PHEMA and second largest in P(HEMA/MMA). Copolymers of adhesive monomers and MMA showed greater water absorption compared to PMMA. The solubility of the tested polymers showed a tendency similar to that of water absorption. The compressive strength of all polymers after underwater storage significantly decreased with an increase in the storage period. Since characteristic differences in water absorption, solubility, and compressive strength were found among polymers of MMA and HEMA or adhesive monomers, it was inferred that the adhesive durability would depend on the kinds of adhesive monomers used.
