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Silicone Elastomer (silicone + elastomer)
Selected AbstractsMechanical, dielectric, and magnetic properties of the silicone elastomer with multi-walled carbon nanotubes as a nanofillerPOLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 9 2007Il-Seok Park Silicone elastomer and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) composites, applicable as actuators and controllable dampers, were studied. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) were used to investigate the mechanical and magnetic properties of silicone elastomers and MWCNTs composites. Also, measurement of their dielectric property was conducted. The addition of MWCNT was able to tailor the damping and dielectric properties of the silicone elastomer. In this study, a 0.7 wt% of MWCNT composite demonstrated an attractive condition for the damping and the dielectric property. Exceedingly, the modulus increased with the application of a magnetic field. The good filler effect with the small addition of the MWCNTs content is caused by their unique structure, catalytic effect, and magnetic property. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:1396,1405, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] A Review of the Biologic Effects, Clinical Efficacy, and Safety of Silicone Elastomer Sheeting for Hypertrophic and Keloid Scar Treatment and ManagementDERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 11 2007BRIAN BERMAN MD Silicone elastomer sheeting is a medical device used to prevent the development of and improve the appearance and feel of hypertrophic and keloid scars. The precise mechanism of action of silicone elastomer sheeting has not been defined, but clinical trials report that this device is safe and effective for the treatment and prevention of hypertrophic and keloid scars if worn over the scar for 12 to 24 hours per day for at least 2 to 3 months. Some of the silicone elastomer sheeting products currently on the market are durable and adhere well to the skin. These products are an attractive treatment option because of their ease of use and low risk of adverse effects compared to other treatments, such as surgical excision, intralesional corticosteroid injections, pressure therapy, radiation, laser treatment, and cryotherapy. Additional controlled clinical trials with large patient populations may provide further evidence for the efficacy of silicone elastomer sheeting in the treatment and prevention of hypertrophic and keloid scars. The purpose of this article is to review the literature on silicone elastomer sheeting products and to discuss their clinical application in the treatment and prevention of hypertrophic and keloid scars. [source] Influence of TiO2 Nanoparticles Incorporated into Elastomeric Polyesters on their Biocompatibility In Vitro and In VivoADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS, Issue 11 2009Miroslawa El-Fray Abstract Fibroblasts proliferation and apoptosis as well as tissue response after implantation of elastomers containing nanocrystalline TiO2 were investigated in the present in vitro and in vivo study. Materials investigated were soft poly(aliphatic/aromatic-ester) multiblock thermoplastic elastomers with poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) hard segments and dimerized linoleic acid (DLA) soft segments, respectively, containing 0.2,wt% TiO2 nanoparticles. An investigation of the influence of TiO2 nanoparticles incorporated into polymeric material on in vitro biocompatibility revealed enhanced cell proliferation and diminished number of necrotic and apoptotic cells as compared to nanoparticles-free polymer. Implantation tests indicated that the observed tissue changes were similar to those observed with medical-grade silicone elastomer, no evidence of contact necrosis being observed. The unchanged morphology of rat liver hepatocytes and the lack of parenchymal necrosis also indicated that exposure to the material containing TiO2 nanoparticles, did not cause any cytotoxic reactions. The present study, thus, showed that elastomeric polyester containing TiO2 nanoparticles are interesting biomimetic constructs for improved tissue regeneration. [source] Linking the flame-retardant mechanisms of an ethylene-acrylate copolymer, chalk and silicone elastomer system with its intumescent behaviourFIRE AND MATERIALS, Issue 6 2005Anna Hermansson Abstract In this paper the flame-retardant mechanisms of a flame-retardant system consisting of ethylene-acrylate copolymer, chalk and silicone elastomer are linked to its foaming process and to its formation of a final intumescent structure. Thermocouples were placed inside and at the surface of cone calorimeter test specimens in order to measure the temperature at different depths during the formation of the intumescent structure. The temperature and visual observations of the foaming process were then linked to chemical reactions seen with thermogravimetric analysis and also coupled with earlier knowledge of the flame-retardant mechanism. A correlation is seen between the chemical reactions, the temperature (inside and at the surface of a cone calorimeter test specimen) as measured by thermocouples and visual observations in the intumescent process. Further, the outcome of this study provides useful information for achieving a deeper understanding of the flame-retardant mechanisms of the ethylene-acrylate copolymer, chalk and silicone elastomer system. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Reversibly Deformable and Mechanically Tunable Fluidic AntennasADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 22 2009Ju-Hee So Abstract This paper describes the fabrication and characterization of fluidic dipole antennas that are reconfigurable, reversibly deformable, and mechanically tunable. The antennas consist of a fluid metal alloy injected into microfluidic channels comprising a silicone elastomer. By employing soft lithographic, rapid prototyping methods, the fluidic antennas are easier to fabricate than conventional copper antennas. The fluidic dipole radiates with ,90% efficiency over a broad frequency range (1910,1990,MHz), which is equivalent to the expected efficiency for a similar dipole with solid metallic elements such as copper. The metal, eutectic gallium indium (EGaIn), is a low-viscosity liquid at room temperature and possesses a thin oxide skin that provides mechanical stability to the fluid within the elastomeric channels. Because the conductive element of the antenna is a fluid, the mechanical properties and shape of the antenna are defined by the elastomeric channels, which are composed of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The antennas can withstand mechanical deformation (stretching, bending, rolling, and twisting) and return to their original state after removal of an applied stress. The ability of the fluid metal to flow during deformation of the PDMS ensures electrical continuity. The shape and thus, the function of the antenna, is reconfigurable. The resonant frequency can be tuned mechanically by elongating the antenna via stretching without any hysteresis during strain relaxation, and the measured resonant frequency as a function of strain shows excellent agreement (±0.1,0.3% error) with that predicted by theoretical finite element modeling. The antennas are therefore sensors of strain. The fluid metal also facilitates self-healing in response to sharp cuts through the antenna. [source] Vertically Aligned Nanowires on Flexible Silicone using a Supported Alumina Template prepared by Pulsed AnodizationADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 40 2009Stefan Mátéfi-Tempfli Carpets of vertically aligned nanowires on flexible substrates are successfully realized by a template method. Applying special pulsed anodization conditions, defect-free nanoporous alumina structures supported on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), a flexible silicone elastomer, are created. By using this template with nanopores ending on a conducting underlayer, a high-density nanowire array can be simply grown by direct DC-electrodeposition on the top of the silicone rubber. [source] Thermoplastic silicone elastomer lubricant in extrusion of polypropylene wood flour compositesADVANCES IN POLYMER TECHNOLOGY, Issue 2 2007Velichko Hristov Abstract A possibility of using a thermoplastic silicone elastomer (TPSE) for reduction of surface defects in the extrusion of wood-filled metallocene polypropylene (mPP) has been investigated in this work. A capillary rheometer and a single-screw extruder have been utilized to study the effect of the additive on the extrudate distortions. Maleated syndiotactic metallocene polypropylene was also used as an adhesion promoter in mPP/wood flour composites. At loadings of 50 wt% wood flour in the mPP, the extrudates come out of the die with significant tearing and surface roughness. The surface rupture mechanism is similar to that of sharkskin in neat polymers; however, the defect is much more exaggerated in the case of wood fiber-filled composites. It was found that TPSE at low concentrations (1 wt%) was able to reduce or even completely eliminate extrudate surface tearing. Increasing the extrusion speed yielded better results. Addition of a coupling agent also provides improvement in the extrudate appearance. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 26:100,108, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/adv.20090 [source] An experimental analogue to model the fibrous tissue layer in cemented hip replacementsJOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS RESEARCH, Issue 2 2004Victor Waide Abstract Fibrous tissue at the bone,cement interface of cemented joint replacements has been reported frequently in cases of revisions made necessary by aseptic loosening. This work describes the development of in vitro specimens suitable for biomechanical modeling of cemented femoral hip replacements with a fibrous tissue layer at the bone,cement interface. In particular, a series of uniaxial compression tests were performed on silicone elastomer specimens to identify a suitable analogue with similar mechanical characteristics to those reported for the fibrous tissue layer. A method was developed to apply the silicone elastomer at the bone,cement interface. This was examined for two types of cemented hip replacements implanted in composite femurs. The selected thickness of the elastomer layers was in the range of those found in clinical cases of aseptic loosening. Specimens produced by these methods could be used in preclinical biomechanical tests (such as stability or stress shielding tests) to assess the effects of a soft-tissue layer, to model in vitro a long-term-implant scenario, and to provide validation for similar finite element studies. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 69B: 232,240, 2004 [source] Characterization of spreadability of nonaqueous ethylcellulose gel matrices using dynamic contact angleJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 8 2008Keat Theng Chow Abstract This study reports the characterization of spreadability of nonaqueous ethylcellulose (EC) gel matrices intended for topical drug delivery using a newly developed method based on dynamic contact angle. EC solutions were prepared using three grades of EC and propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate. Dynamic contact angles of sessile drops of EC solutions on silicone elastomer were measured using a dynamic contact angle analyzer equipped with axisymmetric drop shape analysis-profile. Roughness of silicone elastomer, viscosity of EC solutions and compressibility of semisolid EC gels were determined by the atomic force microscope, cone-and-plate rheometer and tensile tester, respectively. The silicone elastomer employed as a substrate was demonstrated to have similar hydrophilic/lipophilic properties as the human skin. Spreadability of EC solutions was dependent on EC concentration, polymeric chain length and polydispersity. EC gel spreadability was governed by viscosity and the extent of gel-substrate interaction. From the apparent contact angle values, most EC gel formulations tested were found to be moderately spreadable. Linear correlation observed between spreading parameter and compressibility of EC gel verified the applicability of dynamic contact angle to characterize EC gel spreadability. Thus, the feasibility of employing dynamic contact angle as an alternative technique to measure gel spreadability was demonstrated. The spreadability demonstrated by EC gel would facilitate application on the skin indicating its potential usefulness as a topical dosage form. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 97: 3467,3482, 2008 [source] Release-modulating factors strongly affecting steroid diffusion from silicone elastomer,JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 10 2004Harold A. Nash Abstract Investigations were undertaken to determine the cause of decreases over time in the release rate from levonorgestrel (LNG) implants consisting of silicone elastomer tubing filled with crystalline steroid. Emptying and refilling with the same steroid partially restored release rate. Surprisingly, a further increment in release rates was attained if the tubing was briefly irrigated with methanol before refill. Fractional crystallization showed that release-modulating factors could be concentrated in mother liquors and were initially present as impurities. Boiling LNG in ethanol or methanol produced a number of release-modulating factors of which the most prominent was also found in one production lot of LNG. It was identified as 6,-hydroxy-levonorgestrel (6,-OH-LNG). Added to LNG at the 2% level, 6,-OH-LNG decreased the release rate by 27%. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 93:2420,2430, 2004 [source] Computerized Color Formulation for African-Canadian People Requiring Facial Prostheses: A Pilot StudyJOURNAL OF PROSTHODONTICS, Issue 4 2008FETC, MIMPT, MPhil, T.J. Coward PhD Abstract Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of spectrophotometry and a computerized color formulation system to predict pigment formulas for color mixing silicone elastomer to match the skin color of African-Canadian people. Materials and Methods: In a prospective study, reflectance spectrophotometery was used to measure the skin color of 19 African-Canadian subjects. The spectral data for each subject was used in a computerized color formulation system to predict colorants required to mix silicone elastomer to match each subject's skin color. Delta-E values were recorded for each silicone sample in comparison to the subject's skin measurement. An analysis of variance was used to determine significance among variables, and a Tukey HSD post hoc test was used to assess paired comparisons. Results: Delta-E decreased with iterative mixes of colored silicone for each subject, and pigment loading increased with iterative mixes. Delta-E values for the third iterative mix (fourth and final sample) ranged between 1.49 and 8.82. Conclusion: Spectrophotometry and computerized color formulation provide a foundation in the color matching procedure for facial prostheses that offers objectivity to an otherwise subjective task. Through further study of spectrophotometry and computerized color formulation, and with the development of pigment databases appropriate for the African-Canadian population, it may be possible to establish a precise and repeatable color matching system that predicts required colorants and controls metamerism. [source] Mechanical, dielectric, and magnetic properties of the silicone elastomer with multi-walled carbon nanotubes as a nanofillerPOLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 9 2007Il-Seok Park Silicone elastomer and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) composites, applicable as actuators and controllable dampers, were studied. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) were used to investigate the mechanical and magnetic properties of silicone elastomers and MWCNTs composites. Also, measurement of their dielectric property was conducted. The addition of MWCNT was able to tailor the damping and dielectric properties of the silicone elastomer. In this study, a 0.7 wt% of MWCNT composite demonstrated an attractive condition for the damping and the dielectric property. Exceedingly, the modulus increased with the application of a magnetic field. The good filler effect with the small addition of the MWCNTs content is caused by their unique structure, catalytic effect, and magnetic property. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:1396,1405, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] Contractility of single human dermal myofibroblasts and fibroblastsCYTOSKELETON, Issue 2 2002Louise K. Wrobel Abstract Human dermal myofibroblasts, characterised by the expression of ,-smooth muscle actin, are part of the granulation tissue and implicated in the generation of contractile forces during normal wound healing and pathological contractures. We have compared the contractile properties of single human dermal fibroblasts and human dermal myofibroblasts by culturing them on flexible silicone elastomers. The flexibility of the silicone substratum permits the contractile forces exerted by the cells to be measured [Fray et al., 1998: Tissue Eng. 4:273,283], without changing their expression of ,-smooth muscle actin. The mean contractile force produced by myofibroblasts (2.2 ,N per cell) was not significantly different from that generated by fibroblasts (2.0 ,N per cell) when cultured on a substrata with a low elastomer stiffness. Forces produced by fibroblasts were unaffected by increases in elastomer stiffness, but forces measured for myofibroblasts increased to a mean value of 4.1 ,N/cell. This was associated with a higher proportion of myofibroblasts being able to produce wrinkles on elastomers of high stiffness compared to fibroblasts. We discuss the force measurements at the single cell level, for both fibroblast and myofibroblasts, in relation to the proposed role of myofibroblasts in wound healing and pathological contractures. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 52:82,90, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Mechanical, dielectric, and magnetic properties of the silicone elastomer with multi-walled carbon nanotubes as a nanofillerPOLYMER ENGINEERING & SCIENCE, Issue 9 2007Il-Seok Park Silicone elastomer and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) composites, applicable as actuators and controllable dampers, were studied. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) were used to investigate the mechanical and magnetic properties of silicone elastomers and MWCNTs composites. Also, measurement of their dielectric property was conducted. The addition of MWCNT was able to tailor the damping and dielectric properties of the silicone elastomer. In this study, a 0.7 wt% of MWCNT composite demonstrated an attractive condition for the damping and the dielectric property. Exceedingly, the modulus increased with the application of a magnetic field. The good filler effect with the small addition of the MWCNTs content is caused by their unique structure, catalytic effect, and magnetic property. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 47:1396,1405, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers [source] Cyclic olefin homopolymer-based microfluidics for protein crystallization and in situ X-ray diffractionACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION D, Issue 9 2009Soheila Emamzadah Microfluidics is a promising technology for the rapid identification of protein crystallization conditions. However, most of the existing systems utilize silicone elastomers as the chip material which, despite its many benefits, is highly permeable to water vapour. This limits the time available for protein crystallization to less than a week. Here, the use of a cyclic olefin homopolymer-based microfluidics system for protein crystallization and in situ X-ray diffraction is described. Liquid handling in this system is performed in 2,mm thin transparent cards which contain 500 chambers, each with a volume of 320,nl. Microbatch, vapour-diffusion and free-interface diffusion protocols for protein crystallization were implemented and crystals were obtained of a number of proteins, including chicken lysozyme, bovine trypsin, a human p53 protein containing both the DNA-binding and oligomerization domains bound to DNA and a functionally important domain of Arabidopsis Morpheus' molecule 1 (MOM1). The latter two polypeptides have not been crystallized previously. For X-ray diffraction analysis, either the cards were opened to allow mounting of the crystals on loops or the crystals were exposed to X-rays in situ. For lysozyme, an entire X-ray diffraction data set at 1.5,Å resolution was collected without removing the crystal from the card. Thus, cyclic olefin homopolymer-based microfluidics systems have the potential to further automate protein crystallization and structural genomics efforts. [source] | ||||||||||||||||