Color Stability of Dry Earth Pigmented Maxillofacial Silicone A-2186 Subjected to Microwave Energy Exposure

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to measure spectrophotometrically the color stability of pigmented A-2186 silicone maxillofacial elastomer with 10% by volume of titanium white dry earth opacifier before and after exposure to microwave energy over a simulated 1.5-year period of microwave sterilization. Materials AND METHODS: A-2186 silicone elastomer opacified with titanium white dry earth pigment, pigmented with 5 cosmetic dry earth pigment colors [no pigment (control) group (Pc), red (Pr), yellow ochre (Py), burnt sienna (Po), and a mixture of Pr + Py + Po color group (P3)], was used in this study. Each of the 5 experimental groups consisted of 5 specimens. All specimens were placed in a 250 ml glass beaker filled with 150 ml of water (replenished for each microwave exposure). An exposure of 6 minutes was used 18 times (simulating 1.5 years of microwave sterilization with one 6 minute exposure monthly). Reflectance values were measured by spectrophotometer. Three- and two-way analyses of variance with repeated measures were performed for the color difference (DeltaE*) with the factors of group/color/months, and group/months, respectively. Means were compared by Tukey Honest Significant Difference (HSD) multiple range test calculated at the 0.05 level of significance using SPSS. RESULTS: The trained human eye can detect color changes (DeltaE*) greater than 1.0. Most DeltaE* values of the red pigment group at all intervals and the mixed pigment group at 15- and 18- month intervals increased significantly greater than 1.0 (p < 0.001) compared with the control group. Yellow and burnt sienna groups remained the most color stable over time with DeltaE* values below 0.35. CONCLUSIONS: Lack of color stability of red dry earth pigmented A-2186 silicone maxillofacial elastomers was clinically significant after 12-month exposure to microwave energy as compared with yellow, burnt sienna, and opacified A-2186 dry earth pigments.     

Evaluation of Mechanical Properties of ZY-1 Maxillofacial Prosthetic Materials

Objective Maxillofacial prosthetic materials are used to replace facial parts lost through disease or trauma. Silicone rubbers are the materials of choice. The silicone elastomer A-2186 is a widely used maxillofacial prosthetic material. It is a pourable two-component silicone rubber cured by a platinum catalyst. Used as a prosthetic material, A-2186 has short working time and good mechanical properties. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the physical properties of new prosthetic materials based on addition-type silicone elastomer （ZY-1）, and compared the mechanical properties with those of A-2186, Methods Hardness, tensile strength, ultimate elongation, tear strength and adhesive bonding strength of ZY-1 and A-2186 were compared. Statistical analyses were done using a two-way analysis of variance （ANOVA）. Results The hardness and ultimate elongation of ZY-1 is similar to A-2186. However, tensile strength, tear strength of ZY-1 were higher than those of A-2186. Conclusion ZY-1 addition-type silicone elastomer processed good mechanical properties for use as a maxillofacial prosthetic material.     

热塑料面膜对皮肤剂量的影响研究

目的定量研究鼻咽癌放射治疗时,热塑料面膜在与皮肤各种距离的情况下对皮肤剂量及靶区剂量的影响,对使用面膜后皮肤反应加重的临床现象进行探讨.方法使用VARiAN2100C/D加速器产生的X6与E9射线;比利时ORFIT工业公司生产的U-PLAST材料的固定热塑料面膜;半导体探头;DPD-510半导体现场测量仪及Farmer 2570/1剂量仪和258l电离室(0.6cm3)采用源轴距(SAD)和源皮距(SSD)的方法,测量面膜与皮肤不同距离时对皮肤剂量和最大剂量点剂量的影响.结果 (1)X线入射线对皮下2 mm处剂量有一定影响,可提高11%的剂量,电子线(E9)则在面膜与皮肤有一定距离(2～2.5 cm)时产生一个高剂量峰,在皮下2 mm处最大可产生35%左右的剂量增幅.(2)使用面膜后对最大剂量点的剂量影响在X6和E9分别为0.5%和3%.(3)射出线束对皮肤剂量最大增加量为1.3%.结论 X6和E9的入射线会对皮肤剂量产生较大影响.而X6在使用面膜后无论出射线还是入射线对最大剂量点的剂量影响均不大,可以认为使用面膜不必对开机量进行校正;而E9则有3%的剂量增加,考虑为面膜提升PDD值所致,剂量计算时要将此因素考虑进去.     

Elastomers for biomedical applications

Current topics in elastomers for biomedical applications are reviewed. Elastomeric biomaterials, such as silicones, thermoplastic elastomers, polyolefin and polydiene elastomers, poly(vinyl chloride), natural rubber, heparinized polymers, hydrogels, polypeptides elastomers and others are described. In addition biomedical applications, such as cardiovascular devices, prosthetic devices, general medical care products, transdermal therapeutic systems, orthodontics, and ophthalmology are reviewed as well. Elastomers will find increasing use in medical products, offering biocompatibility, durability, design flexibility, and favorable performance/ cost ratios. Elastomers will play a key role in medical technology of the future.     

无托槽隐形矫治用热压膜材料的共混改性及性能研究

目的 选择性能优越的高分子材料,应用共混改性的方法改善相关性能,进一步研制无托槽隐形矫治专用的热压膜材料.方法 将PETG(聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯-1,4-环己烷二甲醇酯)及PBT(聚对苯二甲酸丁二醇酯)按照不同质量比进行共混,测量各个比例两元共混物的吸水性、弹性模量、屈服强度及应力松弛速率,比较不同比例两元共混物性能与Erkodur膜片及PETG/PC/TPU为70/10/20的三元共混物的性能.结果 PETG/PBT为75/25的两元共混物综合性能最佳,较Erkodur膜片有更适宜的弹性模量和更小的吸水率,较PETG/PC/TPU为70/10/20的三元共混物有更小的吸水率.结论 选择不同的原材料,改变共混物组成成分的质量比可以很好的改善共混物的相关性能.     

Embedded NiTi Wires for Improved Dynamic Thermomechanical Performance of Silicone Elastomers

The extraordinary properties of shape memory NiTi alloy are combined with the inherent viscoelastic behavior of a silicon elastomer. NiTi wires are incorporated in a silicon elastomer matrix. Benefits include features as electrical/thermal conductivity, reinforcement along with enhanced damping performance and flexibility. To gain more insight of this composite, a comprehensive dynamic thermomechanical analysis is performed and the temperature- as well as frequency-dependent storage modulus and the mechanical loss factor are obtained. The analyses are realized for the composite and single components. Moreover, the models to express the examined properties and their temperature along with the frequency dependencies are also presented.     

The Influence of Curing Systems on the Cure Characteristics and Physical Properties of Styrene–Butadiene Elastomer

The goal of this work is to study the influence of different curing systems on the cure characteristics and performance of styrene–butadiene elastomer (SBR) filled with carbon black or nanosized silica. A multifunctional additive for rubber compounds, namely Activ8, was applied as an additional activator and accelerator to increase the efficiency of sulfur vulcanization and to reduce the content of zinc oxide elastomers cured in the presence of 2-mercaptobenzothizole or 1,3-diphenylguanidine as a primary accelerator. The influence of the curing system composition on the crosslink density and physical properties of SBR vulcanizates, such as mechanical properties, thermal stability, and resistance to thermo-oxidative aging, is also reported. Activ8 effectively supports the vulcanization of SBR compounds, especially filled with nanosized silica. It reduces the optimal vulcanization time of SBR compounds and increases the crosslink density of the vulcanizates. Moreover, vulcanizates with Activ8 exhibit higher tensile strength and better damping properties than elastomer with zinc oxide. Activ8 allows the amount of ZnO to be reduced by 40% without detrimental effects on the crosslink density and mechanical performance compared to the vulcanizates conventionally crosslinked with ZnO. This is an important ecological goal since ZnO is classified as being toxic to aquatic species.     

Long-term effects of various cleaning methods on polypropylene/ethylene copolymer retainer material

Objectives:To evaluate long-term light transmittance, surface roughness, and flexural modulus of polypropylene/ethylene copolymer retainer material after exposure to different cleaning methods.Materials and Methods:Standardized polypropylene/ethylene copolymer retainer specimens (n = 70, 50.8 mm × 12.7 mm × 1.0 mm) were subjected to seven chemical cleaning solutions: Invisalign cleaning crystals, Retainer Brite, Polident, Listerine mouthwash, 2.5% acetic acid, 0.6% NaClO, and 3% H₂O₂ for 6 months. The specimens were exposed to the different solutions twice a week for 15 minutes or according to manufacturer''s instructions, then stored in artificial saliva at 37°C. Another group of specimens (n = 10) were brushed with a standardized toothbrushing machine for 2 minutes twice a week. At baseline and 6 months, light transmittance, surface roughness, and flexural modulus of the specimens were quantified using spectrophotometry, profilometry and three-point bend testing, respectively. Qualitative analysis was performed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Statistical analyses were performed at a significance level of .05.Results:The results showed that light transmittance decreased significantly from baseline for all cleaning methods at 6 months. For an individual method, no significant differences were observed between specimens at baseline and 6 months in surface roughness and flexural modulus. No discernible differences in surface features were observed on SEM images.Conclusions:The results indicate that different cleaning methods affect the long-term light transmittance of the studied polypropylene/ethylene copolymer retainer material. However, for an individual cleaning method, no significant differences were shown for surface roughness or flexural modulus values at 6-months compared to baseline.     

Effect of Acetylated SEBS/PP for Potential HVDC Cable Insulation

Blending thermoplastic elastomers into polypropylene (PP) can make it have great potential for high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable insulation by improving its toughness. However, when a large amount of thermoplastic elastomer is blended, the electrical strength of PP will be decreased consequently, which cannot meet the electrical requirements of HVDC cables. To solve this problem, in this paper, the inherent structure of thermoplastic elastomer SEBS was used to construct acetophenone structural units on its benzene ring through Friedel–Crafts acylation, making it a voltage stabilizer that can enhance the electrical strength of the polymer. The DC electrical insulation properties and mechanical properties of acetylated SEBS (Ac-SEBS)/PP were investigated in this paper. The results showed that by doping 30% Ac-SEBS into PP, the acetophenone structural unit on Ac-SEBS remarkably increased the DC breakdown field strength of SEBS/PP by absorbing high-energy electrons. When the degree of acetylation reached 4.6%, the DC breakdown field strength of Ac-SEBS/ PP increased by 22.4% and was a little higher than that of PP. Ac-SEBS, with high electron affinity, is also able to reduce carrier mobility through electron capture, resulting in lower conductivity currents in SEBS/PP and suppressing space charge accumulation to a certain extent, which enhances the insulation properties. Besides, the highly flexible Ac-SEBS can maintain the toughening effect of SEBS, resulting in a remarkable increase in the tensile strength and elongation at the break of PP. Therefore, Ac-SEBS/PP blends possess excellent insulation properties and mechanical properties simultaneously, which are promising as insulation materials for HVDC cables.     

Acute effect of engineered thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer knockoff running footwear on foot loading and comfort during heel-to-toe running

BackgroundBetter midsole materials and comfort have been incorporated into more expensive shoes and are popular with runners. Consequently, knockoff running shoes are currently widely distributed in the Chinese market and and cost only 30%–50% of the total price of genuine branded products.Research questionUncertainty exists concerning the beneficial effects of advanced shoe material application in decreasing foot loading or impact force during running. Additionally, using comfort as a criterion to identify genuine branded running shoes may exclude brand factor.MethodsFifteen healthy male volunteers were asked to perform two different tests, including running and a comfort evaluation. Each participant was asked to identify which footwear was the Adidas brand shoe based on their perception of comfort.ResultsTime to the first peak of the vertical ground reaction force occurred significantly later when subjects wore the genuine branded shoe compared to knockoff shoe 1 (p = 0.003) and knockoff shoe 2 (p = 0.015) footwea. The genuine branded shoe (p = 0.005) and knockoff shoe 1 (p = 0.029) were significantly more comfortable compared to the knockoff shoe 2. Only four subjects selected the genuine branded shoe, whereas six subjects selected both the genuine branded shoe and knockoff shoe 1.SignificanceKnockoff running footwear significantly increases impact loading compared to the genuine branded product, thereby posing greater risk of running injury.