Effect of curing cycles on the mechanical properties of heat cured acrylic resins

Traditionally long curing cycles have been recommended for heat cured acrylic resin denture base materials. Recently manufacturers have produced materials for which they recommend short curing cycles. Specimens conforming to British Standards Specification were made using three different brands of heat cured acrylic resin denture base material. Each material was processed in three batches using either the manufacturer's recommended short curing cycle, an arbitrary medium curing cycle or a traditional long cycle. Specimens were subjected to a three point bending test. With one exception using the arbitrary medium curing cycle, all specimens achieved the British Standard suggesting that the manufacturers' recommended cycles should be followed.