{ "abstract": "The present study evaluated the influence of 3% and 10% (by weight) silicon dioxide (SiO2) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) on the tear strength, tensile strength, and elongation at break of a room-temperature vulcanizing (RTV) maxillofacial silicone elastomer (MFSE; A-2000) after two years of natural tropical weathering. A total of 160 specimens (80 dumbbell-shaped and 80 trouser-shaped) were allocated to non-weathered and weathered groups, each divided into five subgroups (n = 8): unfilled control, 3% SiO2, 10% SiO2, 3% TiO2, and 10% TiO2. Weathered specimens were exposed outdoors in a hot, humid tropical climate for two years. Mechanical properties were measured using a universal testing machine. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey HSD post-hoc tests (α = 0.05). In non-weathered specimens, 3% SiO2 increased tear strength by 34% (17.89 ± 0.31 vs. 13.38 ± 1.07 N/mm; P < 0.001) and tensile strength by 35% (4.28 ± 0.27 vs. 3.16 ± 0.13 MPa; P < 0.001) compared with the unfilled control. After natural tropical weathering, only the 3% SiO2 group maintained a significantly higher tear strength (14.03 ± 2.10 N/mm) than the unfilled group (11.09 ± 1.53 N/mm; P = 0.007). Weathering significantly reduced tear strength in all NP-filled groups (P < 0.001) but increased tensile strength across all groups (P < 0.01), with the smallest increase observed in the 10% TiO2 group (+10.1%; P = 0.004). Elongation at break decreased significantly in all groups following weathering (P < 0.001); however, NP-filled groups retained substantially higher elongation values (losses of 13.1–17.6%) than the unfilled control (loss of 51.1%). In conclusion, the incorporation of 3% SiO2 NPs significantly enhanced the mechanical properties of A-2000 MFSE both before and after two years of natural tropical weathering, whereas higher loading (10%) offered no additional benefit. These findings support the use of low-content SiO2 NPs to improve the long-term durability of maxillofacial prostheses.", "abstract_shown": true, "affiliations": [ "School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia", "Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Sinai University, Kantara Branch, Ismailia, Egypt", "Department of Clinical Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Zarqa University, Zarqa, Jordan", "Jeddah Specialist Dental Center, Jeddah Second Health Cluster, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia", "Mahayel Specialist Dental Center, Aseer Health Cluster, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia", "Department of Prosthetic Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Sakakah, Al Jowf, Saudi Arabia", "Dental Research Unit, Center for Transdisciplinary Research (CFTR), Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India", "Department of Dental Anatomy, Udayan Dental College, Boalia, Rajshahi, Bangladesh", "Department of Restorative Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates" ], "article_type": "Research Article", "arxiv": null, "author_total": 9, "authors": [ { "affs": [ 0 ], "name": "Belal Elmarhoumy" }, { "affs": [ 1 ], "name": "Mahmoud Salloum" }, { "affs": [ 2 ], "name": "Thamir Bahattab" }, { "affs": [ 3 ], "name": "Hussein Alhelaly" }, { "affs": [ 4 ], "name": "Mohammed Sghaireen" }, { "affs": [ 5 ], "name": "Matheel AL-Rawas" }, { "affs": [ 6 ], "name": "Johari Yap Abdullah" }, { "affs": [ 7 ], "name": "A. S. M. Rafiul Haque" }, { "affs": [ 8 ], "name": "Mohammed Mousa" } ], "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/77mfrv626yydj.bib", "cited_by": 0, "doi": "10.1371/journal.pone.0357673", "fulltext_url": null, "id": "77mfrv626yydj", "issns": [ "1932-6203" ], "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357673", "language": null, "licence": "CC-BY-4.0", "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0", "licence_source": "journal", "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/", "metadata_licence": null, "native_subjects": [ [ "openalex", "2210|Polymer Science and Applications" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Bioengineering/Biotechnology/Medical devices and equipment/Assistive technologies/Prosthetics" ], [ "plos", "/Earth sciences/Atmospheric science/Meteorology/Humidity" ], [ "plos", "/Engineering and technology/Bioengineering/Biotechnology/Medical devices and equipment/Assistive technologies/Prosthetics" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Medical devices and equipment/Assistive technologies/Prosthetics" ], [ "plos", "/Physical sciences/Chemistry/Chemical compounds/Silicones" ], [ "plos", "/Physical sciences/Chemistry/Chemical elements/Zinc" ], [ "plos", "/Physical sciences/Chemistry/Polymer chemistry/Macromolecules/Polymers" ], [ "plos", "/Physical sciences/Chemistry/Polymer chemistry/Macromolecules/Polymers/Elastomers" ], [ "plos", "/Physical sciences/Chemistry/Polymer chemistry/Polymers" ], [ "plos", "/Physical sciences/Chemistry/Polymer chemistry/Polymers/Elastomers" ], [ "plos", "/Physical sciences/Materials science/Material properties/Mechanical properties" ], [ "plos", "/Physical sciences/Materials science/Materials/Polymers" ], [ "plos", "/Physical sciences/Materials science/Materials/Polymers/Elastomers" ], [ "plos", "/Physical sciences/Physics/Electromagnetic radiation/Light/Ultraviolet radiation" ] ], "openalex": "W7207684011", "pdf_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0357673&type=printable", "pmcid": null, "pmid": null, "published": "2026-09-03", "publisher": "Public Library of Science", "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/77mfrv626yydj.ris", "sources": [ { "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:56Z", "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pone.0357673", "source": "plos", "url": "https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357673" } ], "subjects": [ { "field": "chemistry", "origin": "plos:polymer chemistry", "subfield": "materials-polymers" } ], "title": "Influences of TiO₂ and SiO₂ nanofillers on the mechanical performance of a maxillofacial silicone elastomer after two years of outdoor tropical weathering: An in vitro study", "title_text": "Influences of TiO₂ and SiO₂ nanofillers on the mechanical performance of a maxillofacial silicone elastomer after two years of outdoor tropical weathering: An in vitro study", "type": "peer-reviewed", "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:56Z", "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/77mfrv626yydj", "venue": "PLOS One", "versions": [] }