Mechanical Behavior of PEEK and PMMA Graphene and Ti6Al4V Implant-Supported Frameworks: In Silico Study.

Abstract

A comparative analysis has been carried out between three different dental materials suitable for the prostheses manufacturing. The analysis performed is based on the finite elements method (FEM) and was made to evaluate their performance under three different loading conditions. Three different materials were modeled with 3D CAD geometry, all of them suitable to be simulated by means of a linear elastic model. The materials employed were graphene polymethyl methacrylate (G-PMMA) with 0.25% of graphene, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), and Ti6Al4V. Three loading conditions have been defined: distal, medial, and central. In all cases under study, the load was applied progressively, 5 N by 5 N until a previously fixed threshold of 25 N was reached, which always ensures that work is carried out in the elastic zone. The behavior of G-PMMA and PEEK in the tests performed is similar. Regarding maximum deformations in the model, it has been found that deformations are higher in the G-PMMA models when compared to those made of PEEK. The highest values of maximum stress according to the von Mises criteria are achieved in models made of Ti6Al4V, followed by G-PMMA and PEEK. G-PMMA is more prone to plastic deformations compared to Ti6Al4V. However, due to its relatively higher stiffness compared to other common polymers, G-PMMA is able to withstand moderate stress levels before significant deformation occurs, placing it in the intermediate position between Ti6Al4V and PEEK in terms of stress capacity. It should be noted that there is also a difference in the results obtained depending on the applied load, whether distal, medial, or central, proving that, in all simulations, it is the distal test that offers the worst results in terms of presenting a higher value for both displacement and tension. The results obtained allow us to identify the advantages and limitations of each material in terms of structural strength, mechanical behavior, and adaptability to loading conditions that simulate realistic scenarios.