ABSTRACT
Fiber reinforced composites [FRCs] have a wide range of applicability in almost all fields of science. Recently, glass fibers have gained popularity in the field of dentistry owing to their excellent capability of bonding with PMMA denture base after silane treatment, biocompatibility, and esthetics. However, dental grade glass fibers are not only expensive, but they are also not readily available everywhere. This study was aimed at evaluating the quality of coating of saline coupling agent that formed on industrial glass fibers, after they were treated with Trimethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate silane, and to assess the feasibility of using silane treated industrial glass fibers for dental usage, due to their low cost and abundant availability. This was done by comparing the infra-red [IR] absorption peaks of both types of woven E-glass fibers commercial [StickNET, Stick Tech, Finland and Industrial [Iqbal Sons, Karachi], by using Fourier Transform Infra-red [FTIR] spectroscopy. The results indicated the presence of a polymerized layer of the silane coupling agent on both the commercial and industrial GFs. The absorption peaks on both types of glass fibers were identical, demonstrating that industrial glass fibers could be effectively used in replacement of commercial glass fibers, for the reinforcement of PMMA dentures