The main aim of this study was to assess the impact of the environment on the mechanical and tribological properties of glass-carbomer cements used in dentistry. The properties of the Glass Cements Polyalkene (GCP) Glass Fill material, belonging to glass-polyalkene cements, were tested after placing it in various environments: air, distilled water, artificial saliva simulating a neutral environment (pH = 7), and simulating inflammation (pH = 4). The research material included four samples and a two-year reference material. The analysis of volumetric consumption and the assessment of the impact of solubility on the stability of glass-carbomer cements were carried out using tribological measurements and Vickers hardness measurements. In addition, microstructural characterization of the materials was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was observed that the lowest wear (0.04%), the most stable microstructure, and the lowest average hardness (21.52 HV 0.1) were exhibited by the material stored in artificial saliva simulating a neutral environment (pH = 7). The least stable microstructure and statistically the highest hardness (77.3 HV 0.1) was observed in the test sample, which was stored in air for two years and then in distilled water. The highest consumption (0.11%) was recorded in the case of cement placed in artificial saliva simulating inflammation (pH = 4). The results obtained in this study indicate specific trends in the influence of the environment in which the tested cement is located, such as air, distilled water, air/distilled water, artificial saliva simulating a neutral environment, and simulating inflammation, on its structure, hardness, and wear.
Keywords: GCP glass fill; SEM; Vickers hardness; glass-carbomer cements; glass-polyalkene cements; tribology.