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
9 affiliations
- 1School of Dental Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
- 2Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Sinai University, Kantara Branch, Ismailia, Egypt
- 3Department of Clinical Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Zarqa University, Zarqa, Jordan
- 4Jeddah Specialist Dental Center, Jeddah Second Health Cluster, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
- 5Mahayel Specialist Dental Center, Aseer Health Cluster, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
- 6Department of Prosthetic Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Sakakah, Al Jowf, Saudi Arabia
- 7Dental Research Unit, Center for Transdisciplinary Research (CFTR), Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
- 8Department of Dental Anatomy, Udayan Dental College, Boalia, Rajshahi, Bangladesh
- 9Department of Restorative Dentistry, College of Dentistry, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates
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.
Related
- Polymer Solution Entanglement Influences the Mechanical Properties of the Resultant Electrospun Fibers
- The Role of Carbon Fibers in FFF 3D Printed Composites: A Comprehensive Review on the Effect on Mechanical Properties, Fracture Toughness, and Tribological Performance
- Effects of Segment Chemistry on Mechanical Performance and Hemocompatibility in Polyurethane Heart Valve Scaffolds
- Lightweight Mechanical Performance of Hybrid Al 2 O 3 /TiO 2 Nano-Reinforced Jute Fiber Biocomposites with Polyester and Epoxy Matrices for Potential Automotive Exterior Applications
- Double-network silica–polyacrylamide composite aerogels with enhanced mechanical integrity and multifunctional adsorption performance
BibTeX
@article{elmarhoumy2026influences,
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}},
author = {Belal Elmarhoumy and Mahmoud Salloum and Thamir Bahattab and Hussein Alhelaly and Mohammed Sghaireen and Matheel AL-Rawas and Johari Yap Abdullah and A. S. M. Rafiul Haque and Mohammed Mousa},
journal = {PLOS One},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0357673},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357673},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - 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
AU - Belal Elmarhoumy
AU - Mahmoud Salloum
AU - Thamir Bahattab
AU - Hussein Alhelaly
AU - Mohammed Sghaireen
AU - Matheel AL-Rawas
AU - Johari Yap Abdullah
AU - A. S. M. Rafiul Haque
AU - Mohammed Mousa
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/03
JO - PLOS One
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0357673
UR - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357673
AB - 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.
SN - 1932-6203
ER -