Peek-Resin Bond Strength: Surface Treatment Effects

This study aimed to evaluate the combined effects of sulfonation and sandblasting on the shear bond strength (SBS) of PEEK to resin materials. The three PEEK materials were randomly divided into three groups(n=20):untreated(Group C);98% sulfuric acid etching for 30s(Group S30);98% sulfuric acid etching for 30s before sandblasting(Group SS).According to the instructions, the samples were coated with Visio.link primer,opaque-shade resin, and body-shade resin. Each group of bonding specimens was divided into two subgroups (n=10) to measure immediate and post-aging SBS. The surface morphology and the interface between the samples and adhesive were analyzed through SEM. The surface of the treated samples was characterized by light interferometry, contact angle measurement, and roughness measuring instrument. The SBS of BioPAEK in group SS is the highest(30.07±0.89MPa),which is higher than of As-print PEEK in group SS(20.36±0.59MPa) and Annealed PEEK in Group S30(15.92±0.36MPa).Moreover, the initial SBS value of both materials is higher than those after artificial saliva aging (P < 0.05).Adhesive failure and mixed failure are the most common fracture modes between materials and decorative resin. The sulfonation treatment enhanced mechanical interlocking at the PEEK-Resin interface, while sandblasting treatment facilitated chemical bonding. This dual modification strategy, combining microstructural alteration with chemical functionalization, synergistically improved both the immediate and long-term bond strength of PEEK to resin composites.