Density Gradients, Cellular Structure and Thermal Conductivity of High-Density Polyethylene Foams by Different Amounts of Chemical Blowing Agent.

LDPE (low-density polyethylene) foams were prepared using the improved compression moulding technique (ICM) with relative densities ranging from 0.3 to 0.7 and with different levels of chemical blowing agents (from 1% to 20%). The density gradients, cellular structure and thermal conductivity of the foams were characterized. The density and amount of CBA used were found to have a significant effect on the cellular structure both at the mesoscale (density gradients) and at the microscale (different cell sizes and cell densities). In addition, the thermal conductivity of the samples is very sensitive to the local structure where the heat flux is located. The technique used to measure this property, the Transient Plane Source method (TPS), makes it possible to detect the presence of density gradients. A simple method for determining these gradients based on thermal conductivity data was developed.

Novo biomaterial composto de EVA (polietileno-co acetato de vinila) para enxerto "onlay" em tecido ósseo / New biomaterial composed of EVA (polyethylene-co-vinyl acetate) for onlay grafting in bone tissue

Introdução: o EVA (polietileno-co acetato de vinila) é um tipo de espuma, com baixo custo e ampla gama de aplicações. Misturas de EVA e amido proporcionam diferentes tipos de estrutura porosa favorecendo seu uso como scaffold para regeneração tecidual óssea. Objetivo: resultados prévios mostraram reação tecidual favorável ao seu uso como biomaterial, sendo assim, os mesmos foram investigados para fins de regeneração óssea. Método: nesse trabalho, 22 ratos linhagem Wistar foram divididos em dois grupos (4 destinados ao experimento piloto e 18 destinados ao projeto). Primeiramente, 4 animais foram submetidos à cirurgia na calota craniana para en xerto onlay em tecido ósseo dos biomateriais: 1) EVA com amido a 15% espumado em alta pressão com ultrassom (EVAMCU), 2) EVA espumado em alta pressão com ultrassom (EVACU), 3) EVA espumado em alta pressão sem ultrassom (EVASU), 4) EVA com amido a 15% espumado em alta pressão sem ultrassom (EVAMSU). Após 30 dias do pós-operatório, os biomateriais EVACU e EVAMCU apresentaram resultados microscópicos com fibrovascularização favorável e bom desempenho. Em sequência, 18 ratos foram submetidos à cirurgia de enxerto e após 7, 14 e 90 dias, 6 animais foram submetidos à eutanásia para coleta dos biomateriais e tecidos adjacentes da calota craniana. Foi realizada análise qualitativa da região de fibrovascularização, bem como do possível potencial osteogênico da região ao redor dos biomateriais ao longo dos períodos. Resultados e Conclusão: os biomateriais testados demonstraram biocompatibilidade e capacidade para regeneração óssea, no entanto, mais estudos precisam ser realizados, como por exemplo, em defeitos ósseos bicorticais.

Introduction: the EVA (polyethylene-co-vinyl acetate) is a kind of foam with low cost and wide range of applications. EVA and starch mixtures provide different types of porous structure favoring its use as scaffold for bone tissue regeneration. Objective: Previous results showed tissue reaction favorable to its use as biomaterial, and thus, they were investigated for purposes of bone regeneration. Method: in this study, 22 male Wistar rats were divided into two groups, 4 of them for the pilot experiment and 18 for the project. First, 4 animals underwent surgery on the skull cap for onlay graft in bone tissue of the biomaterials: 1) EVA with starch to 15% foamed at high pressure with ultrasound, 2) EVA foam at high pressure with ultrasound, 3) EVA foam for high pressure without ultrasound, 4) EVA with 15% starch foamed at high pressure without ultrasound). The results were evaluated microscopically 30 days after surgery and the biomaterials EVACU and EVAMCU presented good performance with favorable fibrovascularization. Eighteen rats were submitted to graft surgery and after 7, 14 and 90 days, 6 animals were submitted to euthanasia for the collection of biomaterials and adjacent tissues of the skullcap. A qualitative analysis of the region of fibro vascularization was performed, as well as the potential osteogenic based on the microscopic findings of the region surrounding the biomaterials throughout the periods. Results and Conclusion: the biomaterials tested demonstrated biocompatibility and capacity for bone regeneration, however, more studies need to be performed, for example, on bicortical bone defects.