Effect of gauge length of single filament tensile strength

Effect of gauge length of single filament tensile strength

Objective: Fiber reinforced composites (FRC) are increasingly used in various dental applications. Mechanical properties of polymer matrix, reinforcing fiber and adhesion between fiber and matrix has main factor of final strength of FRC. Aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of gauge length on single fiber tensile test.

Methods: E-glass  or bioactive glass   single fiber (n=30/gauge length) were embedded to acrylate resin using gauge length of 5,10,15,20 and 25 mm. Specimens were tensile tested using loading rate of 1.0 mm/min with a material testing device and maximum load was recorded (N). Mean values and standard deviation for tensile strength values (MPa) were calculated and data were analyzed statistically using one-way analysis of variance, followed by the Tukey B rank order test (p=.05). Results: Analysis of variance indicated significant differences between different gauge length (p<0.05) for both fiber type. By increasing gauge length of single filament, the tensile strength values are decreased.

 Conclusion: If tensile strength of single filament fibers is measured, the effect of gauge length should be taken in account.