Effect of Nanoclay on Thermal Conductivity and Flexural Strength of Polymethyl Methacrylate Acrylic Resin

Statement of the problem: the mechanical and thermal properties of polymethyl methacrylate (pmma) acrylic resin should be improved to counterweigh its structural deficiencies. purpose: the aim of this study was to compare the flexural strength and thermal conductivity of conventional acrylic resin and acrylic resin loaded with nanoclay. materials and method: the methacrylate monomer containing the 0.5, 1 and 2 wt% of nanoclay was placed in an ultrasonic probe and mixed with the pmma powder. scanning electron microscopy was used to verify homogeneous distribution of particles. twenty-four 20×20×200-mm cubic samples were prepared for flexural strength test; 18 samples containing nanoclay and 6 samples for the control group. another 24 cylindrical samples of 38×25 mm were prepared for thermal conductivity test. oneway anova was used for statistical analysis, followed by multiple-comparison test (scheffé’s test). statistical significance was set at p< 0.05. results: increasing the concentration of nanoclay incorporated into the acrylic resin samples increased thermal conductivity but decreased flexural strength (p< 0.05). conclusion: based on the results of this study, adding nanoclay particles to pmma improved its thermal conductivity, while it had a negative effect on the flexural strength.