The effect of thermoforming on the properties of fiber-reinforced composite wires

✍ Scribed by Dr. Anil P. Patel; A. Jon Goldberg; Charles J. Burstone

• Publisher: Wiley (John Wiley & Sons)
• Year: 1992
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 485 KB
• Volume: 3
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1045-4861
• DOI: 10.1002/jab.770030303

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

The effects of thermoforming on the instantaneous flexural properties and structure of thermoplastic fiber‐reinforced composite (FRC) wires were studied to determine the preferred temperature range for clinical forming. Five different formulations of FRC wires were heated to clinically relevant thermoforming temperatures in a special mold that was designed to maintain their shape. In addition, one formulation was also heated without the restraining effect of the mold. Flexural properties were determined. A temperature above the T~g~ is necessary to allow sufficient softening and avoidance of distortion in shape during clinical forming. However, higher temperatures will result in significant structural disintegration of the wires with consequent decrease in flexural modulus. Thus, for every material, there is a heating range or “working range” where the material can be properly formed with minimal changes in the physical properties. This was primarily related to the T~g~ of the matrix used.