Resilient polymeric materials such as silicone elastomers are currently used for maxillofacial prostheses construction but the strength of these materials and their clinical performance need to be optimized with the addition of reinforcing fillers. This study investigates the effect of zirconia nanopowder addition on tear strength, tensile strength, elongation at break, Shore A hardness, surface roughness and cytotoxicity of VST-50 maxillofacial silicone. Silicone base was mixed with different amounts (1%, 2% and 3%) of zirconia nanopowder using a vacuum mixer. Silicone without filler was used as control for comparison. Scanning Electron Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy were utilized to assess the efficiency of high-shear vacuum mixing as filler dispersion method and the surface topography, respectively. Both SEM and AFM images showed that the zirconia nanopowder were distributed fairly well within the polymer. Statistically, highly significant increase in tear strength, tensile strength and hardness with non-significant decrease in elongation at break and non-significant increase in surface roughness were seen with 1% and 2% groups. Whereas with 3% group, there was significant improvement in tear strength, tensile strength and hardness but there was significant undesirable decrease in elongation and increase in roughness. Cytotoxicity test revealed that the addition of zirconia nanopowder was nontoxic to Rat Embryonic Fibroblast (REF) cells and there was non-significant change in the cell viability of all study groups after 24- and 72-hours incubation periods. In conclusion, the addition of 2% by weight nano zirconia to VST-50 maxillofacial silicone could be beneficial in enhancing its performance.
Linear and nonlinear optical properties of epoxy/ Al2O3 nanocomposites system were studied for epoxy neat and (0.5, 1.5, 3, and 5) % Al2O3 nanocomposites.The band gap of epoxy and its nanocomposites was obtained at these weight ratios. Nonlinear optical properties experiments were performed using Q-switched Nd:YAG laser z-scan system.These experiments were carried out for different parameters: wavelengths (1064 nm and 532 nm), laser intensities (0.530, 0.679, and 0.772) GW/cm2 and weight ratio of Al2O3 nanocomposites. The results showed that the band gaps were decreased with increasing the weight ratio of nanoalumina except at 5wt% and the nonlinear refractive index coefficient is directly proportional to the incident intensities while o
... Show MoreLithium doped Nickel-Zinc ferrite material with chemical formula Ni0.9−2x Zn0.1LixFe2+xO4, where x is the ratio of lithium ions Li+ (x = 0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03 and 0.04) prepared by using sol-gel auto combustion technique. X-ray diffraction results showed that the material have pure cubic spinal structure with space group Fd-3m. The experimental values of the lattice constant (aexp) were decreased from 8.39 to 8.35 nm with doped Li ions. It was found that the decreasing of the crystallite size with addition of lithium ions concentration. The radius of tetrahedral (rtet) and octahedral (roct) site were computed from cation distribution. SEM images have been taken to show the morphology of compound. The dielectric parameters [dissipation fa
... Show MoreGypsum Plaster is an important building materials, and because of the availabilty of its raw materials. In this research the effect of various additives on the properties of plaster was studied , like Polyvinyl Acetate, Furfural, Fumed Silica at different rate of addition and two types of fibers, Carbon Fiber and Polypropylene Fiber to the plaster at a different volumetric rate. It was found that after analysis of the results the use of Furfural as an additive to plaster by 2.5% is the optimum ratio of addition to that it improved the flexural Strength by 3.18%.
When using Polyvinyl Acetate it was found that the ratio of the additive 2% is the optimum ratio of addition to the plaster, because it improved the value of the flexural stre
This study, establishes two stochastic monotonicity results concerning the run length of an upper one –sided Exponentially Weighted Moving Average (EWMA) control charts, based on the logarithm of the sample variance, for monitoring a process standard deviation, these properties cast interesting light on the control chart performance, and their extension to other one –sided EWMA control charts.
Self-compacted concrete (SCC) considered as a revolution progress in concrete technology due to its ability for flowing through forms, fusion with reinforcement, compact itself by its weight without using vibrators and economic advantages. This research aims to assess the fresh properties of SCC and study their effect on its compressive strength using different grading zones and different fineness modulus (F.M) of fine aggregate. The fineness modulus used in this study was (2.73, 2.82,2.9& 3.12) for different zones of grading (zone I, zone II& marginal zone(between zone I&II)) according to Iraqi standards (I.Q.S No.45/1984).Twelve mixes were prepared, each mix were tested in fresh state with slump, V-Funnel and L-Box tests, t
... Show MoreSelf-compacted concrete (SCC) considered as a revolution progress in concrete technology due to its ability for flowing through forms, fusion with reinforcement, compact itself by its weight without using vibrators and economic advantages. This research aims to assess the fresh properties of SCC and study their effect on its compressive strength using different grading zones and different fineness modulus (F.M) of fine aggregate. The fineness modulus used in this study was (2.73, 2.82,2.9& 3.12) for different zones of grading (zone I, zone II& marginal zone(between zone I&II)) according to Iraqi standards (I.Q.S No.45/1984).Twelve mixes were prepared, each mix were tested in fresh state with slump, V-Funnel and L-Box tests, then 72
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