Outdoor Weathering of Five Commercial Facial Prosthetic Elastomers (original) (raw)

Abstract

Objective: Facial prosthetic elastomers with wide ranges in hardness are now available, yet material weatherability is unknown. This study assessed color, durometer and tensile property changes after 3000 hours of outdoor weathering in Lincoln, NE, USA. Methods: Unpigmented elastomers with durometer values 5, 30, 50, 70 and controls (A2186) were polymerized into dumbbells (ASTM D412) and discs 34 mm diameter x 6 mm thick (all Factor II materials). Materials were subjected to outdoor or control (25C, 30% r.h., darkness) environments for 3000 hours. CIEL*a*b* color (n=5), durometer hardness (n=5) and tensile properties (n=10) were measured at 0 & 3000 hours, and group differences were assessed by material and weathering condition (ANOVA/Tukey). Results: Mean durometer changes for all materials were ≤3.0, with no significant differences observed between control and weathered groups for any material (p>0.05). 3000 hour color and tensile property results are presented below (mean (s.e...

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