[Mechanical properties of thermoplastic materials].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanical properties of various brands of thermoplastic materials under different test conditions so as to analyze their influencing factors so as to provide a reference for improving the effect of invisible orthodontics. METHODS: Three brands of thermoplastic materials, DR, Biolon and Erkodent, were selected. They were tested by Instron testing machine to measure their maximal stress and modulus under different processing modes, including pre-thermoforming, post-thermoforming and dipped in artificial saliva for two weeks after thermoforming. The data were analyzed by SPSS 11.5. Analyzed the mechanical properties change-trend under each test condition. RESULTS: The modulus (MPa) and maximum stress (MPa) of control group were significantly higher than those of thermoforming group (DR: 9.63±0.68 vs 7.85±0.61, 267±8 vs 199±6; Erkodent: 8.28±0.28 vs 7.59±0.45, 226±6 vs 199±6; Biolon: 8.85±0.41 vs 7.07±0.22, 237±6 vs 169±7, all P<0.05). The modulus (MPa) and maximum stress (MPa) of thermoforming group were significantly lower than those of saliva immersion group (DR: 7.85±0.61 vs 9.14±0.41, 199±6 vs 243±7; Erkodent: 7.59 ± 0.45 vs 8.38±0.29, 199±6 vs 212±7; Biolon: 7.07±0.22 vs 7.90±0.31, 169±7 vs 197±5, all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The different brands of thermoplastic materials have different mechanical properties. The different processing modes influence the mechanical properties of thermoplastic materials. The mechanical properties decrease after thermoforming and increase after saliva immersion.

Mechanical Properties of Orthodontic Thermoplastics PETG/ PC2858 after Blending.

OBJECTIVE: To characterise and compare the tensile characteristics after multi-proportional blending, to determine the proper blending ratio for new thermoplastic material and to compare its mechanical performance with commercial thermoplastics. METHODS: PETG and PC2858 aggregates were blended in five different ratios. Standard specimens of each ratio were molded and tested to determine their mechanical performance. Then the new material with the proper blending ratio was chosen and compared against commercial thermoplastics. RESULTS: With the increase of PC2858 content, the tensile and impact strength increased but elongation at break decreased. When blending ratio (wt %) was 70/30, the PETG/PC2858 exhibited optimal mechanical properties, with a tensile strength of 63.42 ± 1.67 MPa, and a stress relaxation rate of 0.0080 ± 0.0005 N/s, which exceeded those of Erkodur and Biolon. CONCLUSION: By blending PETG and PC2858 at the weight ratio 70/30, we obtained new thermoplastic material which outperformed commercial products.

[Study on the thickness-change of different thickness thermoplastic materials after thermoforming and saliva immersion].

OBJECTIVE: To survey and compare the thickness-change of different thickness thermoplastic materials under different test condition and make sure the relationship between the thickness-change and the material initial thickness in order to provide a guide in selecting the suitable thickness thermoplastic in practice. METHODS: To choose Biolon, the thickness include 1.0 mm, 0.75 mm, 0.5 mm. Used Electron Vernier caliper to measure the thickness-change of different thickness thermoplastic materials under different processing mode. The data was analyzed by SPSS 10.0. RESULTS: After thermoforming the thickness of thermoplastic became thinner, the thickness of Biolon 0.75 mm decreased by 0.14 mm, Biolon 1.0 mm decreased by 0.22 mm and Biolon 0.5 mm decreased by 0.14 mm. After saliva immersion the thickness became thicker. The thickness of Biolon 0.75 mm increased by 0.02 mm, Biolon 1.0 mm increased by 0.03 mm and Biolon 0.5 mm increased by 0.02 mm. CONCLUSION: 1)The influence of different processing mode to the thickness-change had relation to the material initial thickness. 2)The Biolon 0.75 mm had certain superiority in thickness stability compared to the homogeneous brand through the above research.

Hemodynamic effects of stenting on wide-necked intracranial aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Stent placement has been widely used to assist coiling in cerebral aneurysm treatments. The present study aimed to investigate the hemodynamic effects of stenting on wide-necked intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: Three idealized plexiglass aneurismal models with different geometries before and after stenting were created, and their three-dimensional computational models were constructed. Flow dynamics in stented and unstented aneurismal models were studied using in vitro flow visualization and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. In addition, effects of stenting on flow dynamics in a patient-specific aneurysm model were also analyzed by CFD. RESULTS: The results of flow visualization were consistent with those obtained with CFD simulations. Stent deployment reduced vortex inside the aneurysm and its impact on the aneurysm sac, and decreased wall shear stress on the sac. Different aneurysm geometries dictated fundamentally different hemodynamic patterns and outcomes of stenting. CONCLUSIONS: Stenting across the neck of aneurysms improves local blood flow profiles. This may facilitate thrombus formation in aneurysms and decrease the chance of recanalization.