Measurement and Calculation of Mechanical Properties of Silicone Rubber

The paper presents measurements and calculations of the mechanical properties of silicone rubber used in manufacturing an auricular prosthesis. Measurements and calculations are based on dental computer-aided-design and computer-aided-manufacturing using hybrid technologies including conventional and digital methods of creating medical devices. Tensile strength testing is conducted in a climatic chamber at –20, 0, 25 and 40°C. The mechanical properties of silicon rubber manifest rather a limited value domain, and monotonely lower at the temperature elevation from –20 to 45°C. A relatively high temperature resistance is registered for silicone rubber. Based on a Mooney-Rivlin model, the constants C01 and C10 are determined to be used as the simulation modelling parameters for the stress-strain state of the auricular prosthesis. The measured cross-link density of silicone rubber is found to be 0.49.