Water Effect on Tear Strength of Silicone Impression Materials

Objectives: We tested two protocols, one dry and one wet. Materials tested were: Aquasil Ultra+ XLV (Dentsply Sirona), Imprint 4 Super Quick Light (3M Oral Care), and Take 1 Advanced Light Body Wash Fast Set (Kerr).
Methods: Using a proprietary steel mould, we fabricated tensile tear specimens (101mm x 19 mm x 0.120 mm.) Five initial specimens for each material were in the dry state at 35⁰C. Additionally, five following were in the wet state. The mould, then, was submerged in water at 35⁰C. Each specimen, when cured, was removed and placed in a universal testing machine and immediately loaded vertically at a rate of 508 mm/min until failure at 30 μm tear site. Loads at failure were calculated and strengths were given in Megapascals. Statistical analysis (α = 0.05) was carried out using ANOVA techniques and the Tukey-Kramer HSD test to idenify differences among materials (p ≥ 0.001).
Results: These are shown in the Table.

Research Materials
Take 1 Advanced Light Body Wash Fast Set: (Kerr ) MPa DRY (4.68 ± 0.42), MPa WET (4.46 ± 0.44)
Imprint 4 Super Quick Light: (3M Ora Care) MPa DRY (6.38 ± 0.54), MPa WET (5.73 ± 0.25)
Aquasil Ultra + XLV Fast Set: (Dentsply Sirona) MPa DRY (7.25 ± 0.12), MPa WET (6.68 ± 0.47)


Conclusions: Aquasil Ultra + XLV in its dry state was the strongest though lesser in its wet state. Imprint 4 Super Quick Light, was weaker in both dry and wet states. Take 1 Advanced Light Body Wash Fast Set was even weaker than its dry and wet states. Ergo, Aquasil Ultra + XLV is the strongest (dry or wet) of these materials tested herein.