ABSTRACT Adhesive joints are often used in several areas, including offshore systems and automobiles. The development of suitable models to predict the joint behavior has several challenges, especially due to creep phenomena. The aim of this study is to investigate the creep lifetime of single lap joints considering two different adhesives (epoxy and polyurethane). Long-term tests are performed using a pneumatic creep equipment (PCE). The parameters to the creep model are obtained for each adhesive, where load and life span are related. The models obtained and the times of joints life span are compared with two other adhesives previously studied. The results confirm that the knowledge of the lap shear strength value is just a reference to the designer, however experimental tests in creep for each different adhesive is necessary. The comparison between the joints bonded with two different epoxies shows similar results, what was demonstrated by the similar curves obtained by the models. The comparison between polyurethane adhesives did not show similar behavior in the curves obtained from the models, especially in the time of life span.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of C-factor and light-curing protocol on gap formation in composite resin restorations. Material and METHODS: Cylindrical cavities with 5.0 mm diameter and three different depths (A=1.0, B=2.0 and C=3.0 mm) were prepared on the occlusal surface of 30 human molars and restored in a single increment with P 60. The composite resin was light-cured according to two protocols: standard - 850 mW/cm² / 20 s and gradual - 100 up to 1000 mW/cm² / 10 s + 1000 mW/cm² / 10 s. After storage in distilled water (37°C/7 days), the restorations were cut into three slices in a buccolingual direction and the gap widths were analyzed using a 3D-scanning system. The data were submitted to ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls test (alpha=0.05). RESULTS: ANOVA detected a significant influence for the C-factor and light-curing protocol as independent factors, and for the double interaction C-factor vs. light-curing protocol. Cavities with higher C-factor presented the highest gap formation. The gradual light-curing protocol led to smaller gap formation at cavity interfaces. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that the C-factor played an essential role in gap formation. The gradual light-curing protocol may allow relaxation of composite resin restoration during polymerization reaction.