PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of peracetic acid immersion on water sorption, solubility and microhardness of heat and self-cured acrylic resins. METHODS: Thirty specimens of each type of acrylic resin were produced for sorption, solubility and microhardness evaluation. Sorption and solubility were evaluated based on ISO1567. For the microhardness test, specimens (20.0×5.0×10.0 mm) were made and evaluated under a 100 g load for 15 s. The test groups were submitted to a peracetic acid 0.2% immersion for 10 minutes. Data of sorption and solubility were analyzed by two way ANOVA and, hardness values, by paired t-test. RESULTS: Values of sorption and solubility were in agreement with ISO1567 requirements to both groups and ranged, in µg/mm³, for sorption from 22.28 (±4.40) to 24.25 (±3.27), and from 1.09 (±0.16) to 1.29 (±0.10) for solubility. Solubility showed a statistically significant difference between the two types of resin at test group. There was no statistical significant difference at the microhardness values. CONCLUSION: In this study, immersion in peracetic acid solution 0.2% showed no alterations at acrylic resin properties tested.Peracetic acid could be recommended to replace the conventional agents for the disinfection of acrylic resin devices.
Acrylic resin; denture cleanser; prosthodontics
