Concentration-Dependent Reinforcement of Self-Curing Poly(methyl methacrylate) with Polyetheretherketone: Mechanical Performance and Physicochemical Stability

Hsiu-Na Lin; Michelle M. Chen; Wei-Fang Lee; Pei-Wen Peng; Tzu-Yu Peng; Tien-Li Ma; Chuan-Yao Lin

doi:10.3390/ma19071320

journal article Open Access Mar 26, 2026

Concentration-Dependent Reinforcement of Self-Curing Poly(methyl methacrylate) with Polyetheretherketone: Mechanical Performance and Physicochemical Stability

Hsiu-Na Lin Michelle M. Chen

Wei-Fang Lee Pei-Wen Peng

Tzu-Yu Peng

Tien-Li Ma

Chuan-Yao Lin

Materials Vol. 19 No. 7 pp. 1320 · MDPI AG

View at Publisher Save 10.3390/ma19071320

Abstract

Self-curing poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) remains widely used for provisional restorations and denture bases; however, its limited mechanical strength and susceptibility to water-related degradation restrict long-term performance. This study investigated the concentration-dependent reinforcement of self-curing PMMA with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) particles and evaluated mechanical properties and physicochemical stability. PMMA specimens containing different PEEK concentrations were fabricated and tested for flexural strength, compressive strength, surface hardness, water sorption, and water solubility according to standardized protocols. Mechanical performance demonstrated a concentration-dependent enhancement, with moderate PEEK incorporation significantly improving strength parameters compared to the control group. Excessive filler loading, however, did not yield proportional improvements. Water sorption and solubility values remained within clinically acceptable and ISO-recommended limits. These findings suggest that controlled PEEK reinforcement provides a feasible approach to enhancing the mechanical durability of self-curing PMMA without compromising physicochemical stability. The study offers a practical material modification strategy for improving interim prosthetic materials in clinical dentistry.

Topics

No keywords indexed for this article. Browse by subject →

References

36

[1]

Zafar, M.S. (2020). Prosthodontic applications of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA): An update. Polymers, 12. 10.3390/polym12102299

[2]

Khan, A.A., Fareed, M.A., Alshehri, A.H., Aldegheishem, A., Alharthi, R., Saadaldin, S.A., and Zafar, M.S. (2022). Mechanical properties of the modified denture base materials and polymerization methods: A systematic review. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 23. 10.3390/ijms23105737

[3]

Gad "PMMA denture base material enhancement: A review of fiber, filler, and nanofiller addition" Int. J. NanoMed. (2017) 10.2147/ijn.s130722

[4]

Alqutaibi, A.Y., Baik, A., Almuzaini, S.A., Farghal, A.E., Alnazzawi, A.A., Borzangy, S., Aboalrejal, A.N., AbdElaziz, M.H., Mahmoud, I.I., and Zafar, M.S. (2023). Polymeric denture base materials: A review. Polymers, 15. 10.3390/polym15153258

[5]

Jehan "Effect of nanoparticles on mechanical properties of chemically activated provisional PMMA resin: An in vitro study" World J. Dent. (2023) 10.5005/jp-journals-10015-2264

[6]

Hamdy, T.M. (2024). Evaluation of flexural strength, impact strength, and surface microhardness of self-cured acrylic resin reinforced with silver-doped carbon nanotubes. BMC Oral Health, 24. 10.1186/s12903-024-03909-3

[7]

Alqahtani "Mechanical properties enhancement of self-cured PMMA reinforced with zirconia and boron nitride nanopowders for high-performance dental materials" J. Mech. Behav. Biomed. Mater. (2020) 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2020.103937

[8]

Aldwimi "Effect of hybrid nanofillers on the mechanical characteristics of polymethyl methacrylate denture base composite" Compos. Mater. (2024)

[9]

Fouda "Flexural properties, impact strength, and hardness of nanodiamond-modified PMMA denture base resin" Int. J. Biomater. (2022) 10.1155/2022/6583084

[10]

Jamel "The efficacy of reinforcement of glass fibers and ZrO2 nanoparticles on the mechanical properties of autopolymerizing provisional restorations (PMMA)" Saudi Dent. J. (2023) 10.1016/j.sdentj.2023.05.029

[11]

Naji "Effects of incorporation of 2.5 and 5 wt% TiO2 nanotubes on fracture toughness, flexural strength, and microhardness of denture base polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)" J. Adv. Prosthodont. (2018) 10.4047/jap.2018.10.2.113

[12]

Cao, B., Wu, P., Zhang, W., Liu, S., and Zhao, J. (2023). The fabrication of high-hardness and transparent PMMA-based composites by an interface engineering strategy. Molecules, 28. 10.3390/molecules28010304

[13]

Elbakyan, L., and Zaporotskova, I. (2024). Composite nanomaterials based on polymethylmethacrylate doped with carbon nanotubes and nanoparticles: A review. Polymers, 16. 10.3390/polym16091242

[14]

Moharil "Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) as a biomaterial: An overview" Cureus (2023)

[15]

Qin, L., Yao, S., Zhao, J., Zhou, C., Oates, T.W., Weir, M.D., Wu, J., and Xu, H.H. (2021). Review on development and dental applications of polyetheretherketone-based biomaterials and restorations. Materials, 14. 10.3390/ma14020408

[16]

Liu, Y., Fang, M., Zhao, R., Liu, H., Li, K., Tian, M., Niu, L., Xie, R., and Bai, S. (2022). Clinical applications of polyetheretherketone in removable dental prostheses: Accuracy, characteristics, and performance. Polymers, 14. 10.3390/polym14214615

[17]

"Applications of polyetheretherketone in dentistry: A literature review" Polym. Plast. Technol. Mater. (2025)

[18]

Porojan, L., Toma, F.R., Vasiliu, R.D., Topală, F.I., Porojan, S.D., and Matichescu, A. (2021). Optical properties and color stability of dental PEEK related to artificial ageing and staining. Polymers, 13. 10.3390/polym13234102

[19]

Dallal, S., Eslami, B., and Tiari, S. (2025). Recent advances in PEEK for biomedical applications: A comprehensive review of material properties, processing, and additive manufacturing. Polymers, 17. 10.3390/polym17141968

[20]

Altug "Enhanced mechanical properties of continuous carbon fiber reinforced polyether-ether-ketone composites via infrared preheating and high fiber volume fraction" Addit. Manuf. (2024)

[21]

Foong "Applications of nano-materials in diverse dentistry regimes" RSC Adv. (2020) 10.1039/d0ra00762e

[22]

Magazzù, A., and Marcuello, C. (2023). Investigation of soft matter nanomechanics by atomic force microscopy and optical tweezers: A comprehensive review. Nanomaterials, 13. 10.3390/nano13060963

[23]

Mohd Farid, D.A., Zahari, N.A.H., Said, Z., Ghazali, M.I.M., Hao-Ern, L., Mohamad Zol, S., Aldhuwayhi, S., and Alauddin, M.S. (2022). Modification of polymer based dentures on biological properties: Current update, status, and findings. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 23. 10.3390/ijms231810426

[24]

Paravina "Acceptability and perceptibility thresholds in dentistry: A comprehensive review of clinical and research applications" J. Esthet. Restor. Dent. (2019) 10.1111/jerd.12465

[25]

Papadopoulos "Colour stability of veneering composites after accelerated aging" Eur. J. Dent. (2010) 10.1055/s-0039-1697821

[26]

Vuksic, J., Pilipovic, A., Poklepovic Pericic, T., and Kranjcic, J. (2025). Water sorption and water solubility of digitally fabricated denture base materials. Materials, 18. 10.3390/ma18235343

[27]

(2013). Dentistry—Polymer-Based Restorative Materials (Standard No. ISO 4049:2013).

[28]

Lamnini "Zirconia-based ceramics reinforced by carbon nanotubes: A review with emphasis on mechanical properties" Ceramics (2023) 10.3390/ceramics6030105

[29]

Smith "Physical, thermal, and mechanical characterization of PMMA foils fabricated by solution casting" J. Appl. Polym. Sci. (2024)

[30]

Akay, C., Çakmak, G., Donmez, M.B., Abou-Ayash, S., Mumcu, E., Pat, S., and Yilmaz, B. (2023). Flexural strength and Vickers microhardness of graphene-doped SnO2 thin-film-coated polymethylmethacrylate after thermocycling. Coatings, 13. 10.3390/coatings13061106

[31]

Gupta "Influence of TiO2 as a filler into PMMA–ZrO2 composites on structural, mechanical and biological properties for denture fabrication" Ceram. Int. (2025) 10.1016/j.ceramint.2025.10.387

[32]

Bacali "Reinforcement of PMMA denture base resins: From macro to nano scale" Int. J. Med. Dent. (2019)

[33]

Shi "Tribological and mechanical properties of cellulose/PMMA composite" Polym. Polym. Compos. (2022)

[34]

Ryu "Effects of thermoforming on the physical and mechanical properties of thermoplastic materials for transparent orthodontic aligners" Korean J. Orthod. (2018) 10.4041/kjod.2018.48.5.316

[35]

Koppaka "Assessing the color stability of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) dental restorations polished with a novel polishing agent derived from pulverized old alginate impressions" Cureus (2024)

[36]

Banode "Color stability of provisional restorative materials after exposure to commonly consumed beverages: A systematic review" Int. J. Prosthodont. Restor. Dent. (2022)

Metrics

0

Citations

36

References

Details

Published: Mar 26, 2026
Vol/Issue: 19(7)
Pages: 1320
License: View

Authors

H

Hsiu-Na Lin

Research Center of Digital Oral Science and Technology, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; Department of Dentistry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei 10507, Taiwan; School of Dentistry, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan

M

Michelle M. Chen

Research Center of Digital Oral Science and Technology, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; School of Dentistry, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; Division of Prosthodontics, Department of Dentistry, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei 11031, Taiwan

W

Wei-Fang Lee

School of Dental Technology, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan

P

Pei-Wen Peng

School of Dental Technology, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan

T

Tzu-Yu Peng

Research Center of Digital Oral Science and Technology, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; School of Dentistry, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan

T

Tien-Li Ma

School of Dental Technology, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan

C

Chuan-Yao Lin

Research Center of Digital Oral Science and Technology, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; School of Dental Technology, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan

Cite This Article

Hsiu-Na Lin, Michelle M. Chen, Wei-Fang Lee, et al. (2026). Concentration-Dependent Reinforcement of Self-Curing Poly(methyl methacrylate) with Polyetheretherketone: Mechanical Performance and Physicochemical Stability. Materials, 19(7), 1320. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19071320

Concentration-Dependent Reinforcement of Self-Curing Poly(methyl methacrylate) with Polyetheretherketone: Mechanical Performance and Physicochemical Stability

You May Also Like