Stress analysis of clasps made of glass fiber-reinforced composite material using three-dimensional finite element method: influence of shape in cross and longitudinal sections of circumferential clasp arms.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different cross-sectional shapes and presence of taper on stress distribution in clasp arms made of glass fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) material. Stress analysis of clasps was performed under a constant load (5 N) using a three-dimensional finite element method with due consideration to the anisotropy of unidirectional FRC material. Results were then compared with clasp arms made of metal- an isotropic material. It was found that both FRC clasps and metal clasps yielded similar results. As for the displacement of clasp arms with a basic cross-sectional shape under a load of 5 N, the amount of displacement showed that FRC clasps provided sufficient retentive force required for clinical application.

Optimum design for glass fiber-reinforced composite clasps using nonlinear finite element analysis.

The purpose of this study was to design an optimum glass fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) clasp. Three-dimensional finite element models were constructed of FRC circumferential clasp arms and an abutment tooth. The basic clasp arm was half-oval, without a taper, 2.60 mm wide and 1.30 mm thick. Four modified clasp arms were prepared by changing the width or thickness of the basic clasp (width/thickness: 2.60 mm/0.65 mm, 2.60 mm/1.95 mm, 1.30 mm/1.30 mm, and 3.90 mm/1.30 mm). Forced displacements of 5 mm in the removal direction were applied to the nodes at the base of the clasp arm. The retentive forces and maximum tensile stresses of the five FRC clasp arms ranged from 1.00-16.30 N and from 58.9-151 MPa, respectively. Results showed that an optimum FRC clasp was a circumferential clasp with 2.60 mm width and 1.30 mm thickness, which had sufficient retentive force and low risk of tensile failure.