Abstract
This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of E-glass fibers (approximate to 1.0mm long, (phi) = 0.017mm with 1.0 wt.% and 5.0 wt.%) in two ( Megacem (TM) and GlassFill (TM)) glass-ionomer cements (GIC) to enhance their mechanical properties. The six specimen groups were assigned to MCC, MC1, MC5, GFC, GF1 and GF5, and evaluated after 24 h dry storage and 30 days water storage. The results showed considerable increase in surface roughness and the flexural strength values of both cements in both time intervals, whereas a statistically higher elastic modulus was observed in MC1 24 h (15.3 GPa) and 30 days groups (7.1 GPa). On the contrary, no steady improvement in nano-hardness and yield strength were observed with the addition of chopped glass fibers. The SEM images suggest inadequate adhesion of the fibers to GIC matrix. Reinforcing GICs with short chopped E-glass fibers may not improve all the mechanical properties of GIC.