We evaluated the effects of adding the fluorinated monomer 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate (TFEMA) and varying amounts of the plasticizer acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) on the gelation of light-cured soft denture liners. The liquids contained 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate (2-EHMA) and ATBC, with traces of a photo initiator and reducing agent, and the powder was poly(ethyl methacrylate/butyl methacrylate). Four 2-EHMA:TFEMA ratios and two monomer:plasticizer ratios were tested with a powder/liquid ratio of 1.0. Gelation time was measured using a controlled stress rheometer. Gelation time decreased exponentially with increasing TFEMA content in the monomer. Conversely, higher proportions of ATBC in the liquid prolonged gelation. The influence of monomer composition (2-EHMA:TFEMA) on gelation was greater than that of ATBC content. These results indicate that gelation kinetics can be widely controlled by the addition of TFEMA, and a formulation of 50 wt% monomer (2-EHMA:TFEMA=60:40)/50 wt% plasticizer (ATBC) represents a suitable liquid composition for soft denture liners.
NAKASHIMA et al. (2026) studied this question.