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PMMA

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Total cards: 24•Content version: v4•Public deck•Updated: 8/1/2026

Card preview (24)

#1
Front (Question)

What are the ideal properties of PMMA

Back (Answer)

• dimensionally accurate and stable in use • high softening temp (must not distort when drinking hot drinks/ when cleaning) • unaffected by oral fluids over time • high young’s modulus (rigid) • high elastic limit (only large stresses will cause permanent deformation) • thermal expansion similar to artificial tooth • high thermal conductivity (to transmit thermal stimuli to mucosa) low density • colour matches natural tissues • non toxic, non irritant

#2
Front (Question)

what does PMMA stand for

Back (Answer)

Polymethylmethacrylate

#3
Front (Question)

what does elastic limit mean and do we want PMMA to have a low or high one

Back (Answer)

the stress which beyond which the material will become deformed because when you release that force the material will not restore a high one (so even on high stresses it won’t deform)

#4
Front (Question)

what reaction does PMMA undergo

Back (Answer)

free radical addition polymerisation

#5
Front (Question)

define free radical addition polymerisation

Back (Answer)

Chemical union of TWO molecules either the same or different to form a larger molecule WITHOUT the elimination of a smaller molecule

#6
Front (Question)

why do we need free radical addition polymerisation

Back (Answer)

Looking to break down double bond (C=C) so it links to other molecules and the material becomes rigid. We want cross linking to happen Happens in stages

#7
Front (Question)

what undergoes free radical addition polymerisation

Back (Answer)

methacrylate monomer

#8
Front (Question)

what are the 4 stages in acrylic polymerisation (define them)

Back (Answer)

• Activation - of inhibitor to provide free radicals • Initiation - free radicals break C=C bond in monomer and transfer free radical • Propagation - growing polymer chain • Termination - of polymerisation

#9
Front (Question)

what is used as an initiator

Back (Answer)

benzoyl peroxide

#10
Front (Question)

how is it activated

Back (Answer)

• heat >72oC - self cured

#11
Front (Question)

what are the free radicals which are produced

Back (Answer)

2 radicals: C6H5COO* (?) (i think these are produced by the breaking down of benzoyl peroxide)

#12
Front (Question)

what happens following free radical addition polymerisation

Back (Answer)

propagation keeps it’s electrical charge, so propagates, original molecule just keeps getting longer

#13
Front (Question)

What are the two components and how are they brought together

Back (Answer)

Powder and liquid heat-curing

#14
Front (Question)

What is inside the powder

Back (Answer)

• initiator (Benzoyl peroxide) • PMMA particles (pre-polymerised beads) • plasticiser - allows quicker dissolving in monomer liquid • pigments - gives natural colour • co-polymers - to improve mechanical properties

#15
Front (Question)

what is inside the liquid

Back (Answer)

• methacrylate monomer- dissolves PMMA particles • inhibitor (hydroquinone) - prolongs shelf life, reacts with any free radicals produced by heat to prevent them, UV light • co-polymers - improve mechanical properties, particularly cross-linking of polymers

#16
Front (Question)

why do we have the mix of powder and liquid

Back (Answer)

• to produce dough-like material that can be handled/mixed easily and customised to desired shape • reduce heat of reaction • minimise polymerisation shrinkage

#17
Front (Question)

what are the mixing stages for the powder and liquid mix

Back (Answer)

sandy - tacky dough - packing

#18
Front (Question)

how is the mixing carried out with the powder and liquid

Back (Answer)

• brush applied giving separation • pack dough into investment material • important to allow for excess material • take ‘flasks’ and clamp together • controlled heating schedules

#19
Front (Question)

why is it important to have efficient polymerisation

Back (Answer)

to give high molecular weight polymer i.e. good mechanical properties

#20
Front (Question)

why is it important that heating is controlled

Back (Answer)

because the wrong temperatures could result in porosities which aren’t acceptable

#21
Front (Question)

what temp does the majority of the heating happen at

Back (Answer)

70oC

#22
Front (Question)

what temp should be stayed clear of during heating of acrylic

Back (Answer)

100oC

#23
Front (Question)

why does the flask need to cool down gradually following curing

Back (Answer)

because of the possibility of internal stresses

#24
Front (Question)

what would internal stresses (if not cooled gradually) during cooling result in

Back (Answer)

• decreased strength • decreased fatigue strength • warping e.g. during finishing • repair problems