Mechanical Properties and Accuracy of Additively Manufactured Silicone Soft Tissue Materials
The objective of this study was to measure and compare the mechanical properties of conventional and three additively manufactured soft tissue silicone materials, while evaluating the precision of additively manufactured (AMed) materials through different printing angles. Three additively manufactur...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| author | Pei Xin Chen John M. Aarts Joanne Jung Eun Choi |
| author_facet | Pei Xin Chen John M. Aarts Joanne Jung Eun Choi |
| author_sort | Pei Xin Chen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The objective of this study was to measure and compare the mechanical properties of conventional and three additively manufactured soft tissue silicone materials, while evaluating the precision of additively manufactured (AMed) materials through different printing angles. Three additively manufactured soft tissue silicone materials were used, in addition to one conventional self-curing injectable silicone material as a control. AMed materials were divided into three groups with three build angles. Mechanical testing was conducted for tensile and compressive strength by a universal testing machine and Shore A hardness by a durometer. Accuracy analysis of additively manufactured materials (<i>n</i> = 20/group) was performed following superimposition and root mean square (RMS) calculation. Statistical differences between the groups were assessed with a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s post hoc test at a significance level of <i>p</i> < 0.05. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis was performed for fracture surface analyses. The tensile strength of all additively manufactured silicone soft tissue materials was significantly lower (<i>p</i> < 0.0001) than that of the control material. All additively manufactured soft tissue material groups had significantly higher compressive strengths (<i>p</i> < 0.0001) and Shore A hardness values. Accuracy analysis showed no significant difference between the groups when compared at the same printing angle (0°, 45°, and 90°); however, within each material group, printing at 45° had higher RMS values than specimens printed at an angle of 0° and 90°. The conventional soft tissue material (control) had a significantly higher tensile strength than all the AMed soft tissue materials, whereas the opposite trend was found for flexural strength and shore hardness. When selecting an AMed material for soft tissue casts used during implant restoration fabrication, it is recommended to print the soft tissues at either 0° or 90°. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-abbc773a72c64d9c83cbaac4ba1f6099 |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing |
| spelling | doaj-art-abbc773a72c64d9c83cbaac4ba1f60992025-08-20T03:13:47ZengMDPI AGJournal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing2504-44942025-03-019411310.3390/jmmp9040113Mechanical Properties and Accuracy of Additively Manufactured Silicone Soft Tissue MaterialsPei Xin Chen0John M. Aarts1Joanne Jung Eun Choi2Faculty of Dentistry, Sir John Walsh Research Institute, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New ZealandFaculty of Dentistry, Sir John Walsh Research Institute, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New ZealandFaculty of Dentistry, Sir John Walsh Research Institute, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New ZealandThe objective of this study was to measure and compare the mechanical properties of conventional and three additively manufactured soft tissue silicone materials, while evaluating the precision of additively manufactured (AMed) materials through different printing angles. Three additively manufactured soft tissue silicone materials were used, in addition to one conventional self-curing injectable silicone material as a control. AMed materials were divided into three groups with three build angles. Mechanical testing was conducted for tensile and compressive strength by a universal testing machine and Shore A hardness by a durometer. Accuracy analysis of additively manufactured materials (<i>n</i> = 20/group) was performed following superimposition and root mean square (RMS) calculation. Statistical differences between the groups were assessed with a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s post hoc test at a significance level of <i>p</i> < 0.05. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis was performed for fracture surface analyses. The tensile strength of all additively manufactured silicone soft tissue materials was significantly lower (<i>p</i> < 0.0001) than that of the control material. All additively manufactured soft tissue material groups had significantly higher compressive strengths (<i>p</i> < 0.0001) and Shore A hardness values. Accuracy analysis showed no significant difference between the groups when compared at the same printing angle (0°, 45°, and 90°); however, within each material group, printing at 45° had higher RMS values than specimens printed at an angle of 0° and 90°. The conventional soft tissue material (control) had a significantly higher tensile strength than all the AMed soft tissue materials, whereas the opposite trend was found for flexural strength and shore hardness. When selecting an AMed material for soft tissue casts used during implant restoration fabrication, it is recommended to print the soft tissues at either 0° or 90°.https://www.mdpi.com/2504-4494/9/4/113gingival masksoft tissuesoft tissue dental casts3D printingadditive manufacturingaccuracy |
| spellingShingle | Pei Xin Chen John M. Aarts Joanne Jung Eun Choi Mechanical Properties and Accuracy of Additively Manufactured Silicone Soft Tissue Materials Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing gingival mask soft tissue soft tissue dental casts 3D printing additive manufacturing accuracy |
| title | Mechanical Properties and Accuracy of Additively Manufactured Silicone Soft Tissue Materials |
| title_full | Mechanical Properties and Accuracy of Additively Manufactured Silicone Soft Tissue Materials |
| title_fullStr | Mechanical Properties and Accuracy of Additively Manufactured Silicone Soft Tissue Materials |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mechanical Properties and Accuracy of Additively Manufactured Silicone Soft Tissue Materials |
| title_short | Mechanical Properties and Accuracy of Additively Manufactured Silicone Soft Tissue Materials |
| title_sort | mechanical properties and accuracy of additively manufactured silicone soft tissue materials |
| topic | gingival mask soft tissue soft tissue dental casts 3D printing additive manufacturing accuracy |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2504-4494/9/4/113 |
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