Reactive nanogels with diverse chemical and physical compositions were synthesized using solution free radical polymerization. Conventional monomer resins show a reduction in polymerization shrinkage and stress as well as improved bond strength when nanogels are used as a filler. Nanogels dispersed in inert solvent at appropriate concentrations form macroscopic networks with chemical compositions that are not directly available from the starting monomers.
Keywords: mechanical properties; nanogels; shrinkage stress.