Effect of weathering and thickness on the superficial microhardness of acrylic resin and ocular button

PurposeThis study evaluated the effects of weathering (1008 h) and thickness (1 and 3.5 mm) on the superficial microhardness of the ocular button, using five colorless acrylic resins, and colorless buttons specific for ocular prosthesis.Materials and methodsOne-hundred-and-twenty specimens were made and distributed allocated to 12 groups. Microhardness analysis was carried out with a microdurometer (Shimadzu, Japan) before and after weathering for 1008 h. Data were then analyzed statistically by ANOVA and the Tukey Test at 1% significance.ResultsThe data demonstrated that the ocular button and the QC 20 resin presented, respectively, the highest (22.9) and lowest (18.31) values of surface microhardness (Knoop), independently of the variable evaluated.ConclusionThickness did not influence the property studied, and the specimens presented higher mean values of superficial microhardness after weathering for 1008 h.