Comparison of four modes of fracture toughness testing for dental composites.

OBJECTIVES: Investigators have reported on the measurement of fracture toughness (K(lc)) of dental composites using a variety of testing methods. However, fracture toughness has been shown to be dependent upon several variables, including crack-tip sharpness and specimen geometry. This study was designed to compare the fracture toughness values obtained for two experimental and three commercial posterior composites, using four popular testing methods. METHODS: The four methods for testing fracture toughness included single-edge notched, compact tension, short rod with chevron notch and double torsion. The results were compared by ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparison test (p < or = 0.05). RESULTS: The values obtained from the short rod test were significantly higher than those from the three other tests. Evaluation of the load-deflection curves and fracture surfaces suggested that the data for this test may not have been valid because a stable crack growth region could not be identified. In general, the fracture toughness results obtained from the double torsion test were lower than values obtained from the single-edge notched and compact tension methods. The double torsion test was the most difficult to conduct, resulting in only a 50% success rate. SIGNIFICANCE: The double torsion test, though possibly the most technique-sensitive of the four fracture toughness methods evaluated provides the most information about crack initiation and propagation and may be most indicative of the true fracture toughness of dental composites.