Investigation of dental materials as skin simulants for forensic skin/skull/brain model impact testing.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to measure the tear strength and hardness of four different dental silicones in comparison to that of porcine skin.

METHODS

Specimens were prepared (n = 20/group) according to ASTM D624-00, using three hydrophilic vinyl polysiloxane impression materials, one duplication silicone, and fresh porcine skin. A universal testing machine was used to strain each test specimen until complete rupture and calculate its tear strength (kNm(-1)). Failure analysis was then conducted using a stereoscopic zoom light microscope, as well as a scanning electron microscope (SEM). A shore A-type durometer was used to measure the hardness of all specimens.

RESULTS

The tear strength for the silicones ranged from 1.75 to 9.58 kNm(-1) and the pigskin from 3.65 to 56.40 kNm(-1). The mean shore hardness for the silicones ranged from 16.275 to 62.65DU and the pigskin had a mean shore hardness of 22.65DU, with p values <0.0125 (0.05/4). Failure analysis of the silicone materials showed the origin of failure being in the tension side of the specimens and typical failure patterns were observed. Examining the materials under a SEM revealed that materials with higher viscosity presented with a larger amount of filler particle content than silicones with low viscosity, with the duplication silicone having no filler content.

CONCLUSION

Dental silicones are a good alternative for skin in studies that require a skin simulant.