EVALUATION OF DETAIL REPRODUCTION FOR 3 DIE MATERIALS BY USING SCANNING ELECTRON-MICROSCOPY AND 2-DIMENSIONAL PROFILOMETRY

This study evaluated the reproduction of detail by Fuji-rock artificial stone, Epoxydent epoxy resin, and Steady-plast polyurethane resin. A polyvinyl siloxane impression was made of a disk-shaped calibration model, with etched grooves ranging from 1 to 46 mu m in depth. The die materials were poured in the silicone impression of the disk, then examined with a scanning electron microscope and two-dimensional profilometer. The results revealed that the artificial stone could not reproduce details smaller than 20 mu m because of the size of the crystalline structure, whereas epoxy resin and polyurethane resin accurately reproduced details of 1 to 2 microns.