The effect of autoclaving sterilization on the physical-mechanical properties of samples made of photopolymer materials

Objective. A comprehensive assessment of the effect of the standard autoclaving sterilization procedure on the physico-mechanical properties of samples made from domestic photopolymer material using stereolithographic 3D printing. Materials and methods. To form a representative sample, a batch of samples printed on a 3D stereolithographic system with a 0.05 mm pitch was used. The samples were divided into two groups: group No. 1 (n=10), which was not sterilized, and group No. 2 (n=10), which underwent a full cycle of autoclaving in the standard mode, the mechanical test procedure consisted of The values of the following parameters are: flexural strength (σ, MPa), flexural modulus of elasticity (Emod, MPa) and deformation (mm) to the moment of fracture. Results. A tendency to decrease bending strength by an average of 1.05% was revealed, from 140±11 MPa for non—autoclaved samples to 138±7 MPa for samples after autoclaving. The modulus of elasticity, which is the main indicator of the strength of the material, decreased by an average of 1.66% from 3242±228 to 3188±152 Mpa. Conclusion. The data obtained allow us to recommend the use of the studied domestic photopolymer material in combination with printing with a minimum step of 0.05 mm and subsequent sterilization by autoclaving in the standard mode as a technologically sound and clinically safe protocol for surgical dentistry.