What does this research mean for the field?

Incorporating 3% SiO2 nanoparticles significantly enhances the mechanical properties and long-term durability of maxillofacial silicone elastomers both before and after natural tropical weathering, whereas higher concentrations offer no additional benefit. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To determine how 3% and 10% weight concentrations of silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles affect the mechanical durability of maxillofacial silicone elastomer following two years of natural tropical weathering.

September 5, 2026PLoS ONEOpen Access

Influences of TiO2 and SiO2 nanofillers on the mechanical performance of a maxillofacial silicone elastomer after two years of outdoor tropical weathering: An in vitro study

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Authors

BEBelal ElmarhoumyHospital Universiti Sains Malaysia MSMahmoud SalloumSinai University TBThamir BahattabJouf University

Discussion

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Implication

In vitro study shows that 3% silica nanoparticles preserve maxillofacial silicone strength and flexibility after tropical weathering, indicating improved prosthesis durability.

Key Points

To determine how 3% and 10% weight concentrations of silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles affect the mechanical durability of maxillofacial silicone elastomer following two years of natural tropical weathering.
Allocated 160 silicone specimens (80 dumbbell-shaped and 80 trouser-shaped) to non-weathered and weathered conditions across five subgroups (n = 8): unfilled control, 3% SiO2, 10% SiO2, 3% TiO2, and 10% TiO2.
Subjected weathered groups to outdoor tropical weathering for two years before measuring tear strength, tensile strength, and elongation at break using a universal testing machine.
Analyzed mechanical performance outcomes using two-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD post-hoc tests at α = 0.05.
In non-weathered specimens, 3% SiO2 increased tear strength by 34% (17.89 ± 0.31 vs. 13.38 ± 1.07 N/mm; P < 0.001) and tensile strength by 35% (4.28 ± 0.27 vs. 3.16 ± 0.13 MPa; P < 0.001) compared with unfilled controls.
Following two years of natural tropical weathering, only the 3% SiO2 group maintained significantly higher tear strength than the unfilled control (14.03 ± 2.10 vs. 11.09 ± 1.53 N/mm; P = 0.007).
Elongation at break decreased across all groups after weathering (P < 0.001), but nanoparticle-filled groups experienced substantially smaller elasticity losses (13.1–17.6%) than the unfilled control (51.1% loss).

Cite This Study

Elmarhoumy et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9bd4346b95aff0620eba69 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357673

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September 5, 2026PLoS ONEOpen Access

Influences of TiO2 and SiO2 nanofillers on the mechanical performance of a maxillofacial silicone elastomer after two years of outdoor tropical weathering: An in vitro study

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

BEBelal ElmarhoumyHospital Universiti Sains Malaysia MSMahmoud SalloumSinai University TBThamir BahattabJouf University

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

In vitro study shows that 3% silica nanoparticles preserve maxillofacial silicone strength and flexibility after tropical weathering, indicating improved prosthesis durability.

Key Points

To determine how 3% and 10% weight concentrations of silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles affect the mechanical durability of maxillofacial silicone elastomer following two years of natural tropical weathering.
Allocated 160 silicone specimens (80 dumbbell-shaped and 80 trouser-shaped) to non-weathered and weathered conditions across five subgroups (n = 8): unfilled control, 3% SiO2, 10% SiO2, 3% TiO2, and 10% TiO2.
Subjected weathered groups to outdoor tropical weathering for two years before measuring tear strength, tensile strength, and elongation at break using a universal testing machine.
Analyzed mechanical performance outcomes using two-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD post-hoc tests at α = 0.05.
In non-weathered specimens, 3% SiO2 increased tear strength by 34% (17.89 ± 0.31 vs. 13.38 ± 1.07 N/mm; P < 0.001) and tensile strength by 35% (4.28 ± 0.27 vs. 3.16 ± 0.13 MPa; P < 0.001) compared with unfilled controls.
Following two years of natural tropical weathering, only the 3% SiO2 group maintained significantly higher tear strength than the unfilled control (14.03 ± 2.10 vs. 11.09 ± 1.53 N/mm; P = 0.007).
Elongation at break decreased across all groups after weathering (P < 0.001), but nanoparticle-filled groups experienced substantially smaller elasticity losses (13.1–17.6%) than the unfilled control (51.1% loss).

Cite This Study

Elmarhoumy et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9bd4346b95aff0620eba69 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0357673

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