Poly Methyl Methacrylate (PMMA)/Polyether Ether Ketones (PEEKs)/ Miswak Fiber Particles (MFP) Ternary Composites Mechanical/ Morphological Assessment for Dental Application

Abstract

Because of its exceptional biocompatibility as well as outstanding aesthetics, Poly methyl Methacrylate (PMMA) is widely recognized as a fundamental material for denture bases frequently used in dentistry and medical applications. Ternary composites made of PMMA/PEEK/ Miswak Fiber Particles (MFP) were fabricated and examined to examine the possibility improvements in contrast to pure PMMA. The chosen ratios of PEEK were fixed at 5%wt. and MFP were 5%wt and 8%wt (coarse and fine). The ternary composites specimens then tested for impact strength, bending strength, and tensile toughness, and characterized under SEM microscopic analysis. The findings revealed a notable enhancement in impact force for samples S5, S6, containing 5wt.% and 8wt.% fine MFP, respectively. These samples exhibited impact strength values of 56 kJ/m² and 56.1 kJ/m², representing a 47% improvement over the pure PMMA control sample. Even though a little decline in value of bending strength was observed, the highest value was obtained with S2 (PMMA/PEEK) at approximately 2451.12 kg/mm², which represents a 23.31% increase over the control PMMA (1987.8 kg/mm²). In contrast, the lowest value was recorded for S5 with coarse MFP at 1089.5 kg/mm² compared to the control PMMA. A gradual increase in tensile strength was observed for sample S2 reinforced with PEEK, reaching 83 MPa, which is 17% higher than the control PMMA sample (71 MPa). The SEM morphology characterization revealed a uniform and effective dispersion of both coarse and fine MFP particles within the PMMA/PEEK matrix, with no signs of particle agglomeration.