Marysilvia Ferreira da Costa

Effect of process parameters on the properties of selective laser sintered Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Porous scaffolds are biocompatible and bioactive temporary substrates. They should present appropriated microstructure, mechanical properties and surface properties for guiding bone tissue regeneration. In this work, scaffolds of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) were printed by Selective Laser Sintering (SLS). The effect of scan spacing (SS) and powder layer thickness (PLT) on the morphology, mechanical properties and dimensional deviations related to the digital model of sintered scaffolds was evaluated. Curling was observed in the first built layers of scaffolds, mainly for scaffolds printed with the lowest PLT. Besides designed pores, the scaffolds also presented micropores derived from the incomplete sinterisation of PHB particles. This morphology can be advantageous for bone regeneration. The variation of PLT caused a higher difference between the values of scaffold mechanical properties than the variation of SS. The scaffolds, except the one printed with the highest PLT or SS, showed mechanical properties within the lower range of human trabecular bone.

Adsorção de fibronectina a arcabouços de polihidroxibutirato aplicáveis à engenharia óssea

Human plasma fibronectin (FN) was adsorbed onto the surface of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) scaffolds with aim of improving adhesion of human osteoblasts (HOB). PHB scaffolds were modified via reaction with ethylenediamine in order to create sites for FN immobilization. Morphological and chemical composition changes were observed for treated scaffolds which led to an increase in the concentration of FN adsorbed onto scaffold surfaces. AFM images showed that FN molecules assumed distinct conformation according to the surface to which they were adsorbed. It is believed that the FN molecules added to non-treated scaffolds assumed an unfolded conformational owing to the exposure of their RGD domains, thus promoting an increased HOB adhesion. On the other hand, FN molecules which were added to the surface of previously treated scaffolds are believed to have assumed a folded conformation, hiding some RGD domains and inhibiting HOB adhesion.

Evaluation of metronidazole-loaded poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) membranes to potential application in periodontitis treatment

Guided tissue regeneration is a technique used for periodontium reconstruction. This technique uses barrier membranes, which prevent epithelial growth in the wound site and may also be used to release antibiotics, to protect the wound against opportunistic infections. Periodontal poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) membranes containing metronidazole (a drug used to help in infection control) were produced and characterized. The kinetic mechanism of the metronidazole delivery of leached and nonleached membrane as well as its cytotoxicity and structural integrity were evaluated. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) membranes containing 0.5-2 wt % of the drug and 20 wt % of the plasticizer were manufactured via compression molding. Based on morphological analysis, membranes loaded with 2% metronidazole were considered for detailed studies. The results revealed that metronidazole delivery by the leached membranes seemed to follow the Ficks law. Membranes were noncytotoxic. The amount of metronidazole delivered was in the range of the minimal inhibitory concentration for Porphyromonas gingivalis, and the membranes inhibited the proliferation of these bacteria. Besides, they maintained their mechanical resistance after 30 days of immersion in phosphate buffer at pH 7.4.

Odontological light-emitting diode light-curing unit beam quality

Abstract. The distribution of light intensity of three light-curing units (LCUs) to cure the resin-based composite for dental fillings was analyzed, and a homogeneity index [flat-top factor (FTF)] was calculated. The index is based on the M2 index, which is used for laser beams. An optical spectrum analyzer was used with an optical fiber to produce an x-y power profile of each LCU light guide. The FTF-calculated values were 0.51 for LCU1 and 0.55 for LCU2, which was the best FTF, although it still differed greatly from the perfect FTF=1, and 0.27 for LCU3, which was the poorest value and even lower than the Gaussian FTF=0.5. All LCUs presented notably heterogeneous light distribution, which can lead professionals and researchers to produce samples with irregular polymerization and poor mechanical properties.

Effect of LED-LCU light irradiance distribution on mechanical properties of resin based materials.

The objective of this study is to analyze the light power distribution along the tip end of the light guide of three LED-LCUs (Light Curing Units) and to evaluate its effect on the mechanical properties of a polymer based dental composite. Firstly, the light power distribution over the whole area of LED-LCU light guide surface was analyzed by three methods: visual projection observation, spectral measurement and optical spectral analysis (OSA). The light power distribution and the total irradiance were different for the three LEDs used, but the wavelength was within the camphorquinone absorption spectrum. The use of a blank sheet was quite on hand to make a qualitative analysis of a beam, and it is costless. Secondly, specimens of a hybrid composite with approximately 8mm diameter and 2mm thickness were produced and polymerized by 20s exposition time to each LED-LCU. Thirdly, the elastic modulus (E) and hardness (HV) were measured throughout the irradiated area by instrumented micro-indentation test (IIT), allowing to correlate localized power and mechanical properties. Both E and HV showed to be very sensitive to local power and wavelength dependent, but they followed the beam power profile. It was also shown that the mechanical properties could be directly correlated to the curing process. Very steep differences in mechanical properties over very short distances may impair the material performance, since residual stresses can easily be built over it.

Evaluation of polymerization shrinkage of dental composites by an optical method.

This study proposes an alternative methodology for evaluating polymerization shrinkage of dental composites using an advanced video extensometer (AVE) system. This equipment measures the displacement between two points drawn on a tooths wall without requiring physical contact with the tooth. By doing so, the polymerization process was monitored by the cusp deflection. This technique was used in human and bovine teeth, where the cavities were prepared under controlled conditions so that the volume of the composite used was the same in both types of teeth. After the cavity preparation, the specimens were acid etched, washed and dried, and then the adhesive was applied and polymerized. The composite was then inserted into the cavity. Polymerization was performed with two different light polymerizing units (LD Max and Optilight Max - Gnatus do Brasil), and the displacement curve of the tooth cusp was recorded for a period of 400 s. After a statistical analysis, it was concluded that the technique was capable of evaluating shrinkage by the deflection from the cusps and that the human and bovine teeth do not react in a similar manner towards the polymerization shrinkage of composites.

Structural and Thermo-mechanical Evaluation of Two Engineering Thermoplastic Polymers in Contact with Ethanol Fuel from Sugarcane

Special polymers have been used in the manufacture of storage structures and pipelines avoiding corrosive processes during ethanol fuel transport/storage. Therefore, this work investigated comparatively the effects of the ethanol on the physical-mechanical properties of poly (ether ether ketone) (PEEK) and polyamide 11 (PA-11) based on ageing tests. The WAXD and DSC results demonstrated slight reductions on the crystallinity degree of the aged PEEK, contrariwise to what happened with PA-11, where Xcincreased after ageing. However, the results of thermal, thermomechanical and mechanical analysis (TGA, DMTA, tensile and micro-IITs) demonstrated that PEEK is stable and no significant changes were observed in its elastic modulus (Ey≈ 3.4 GPa, E’ andEit≈ 3.7 GPa) or glass transition temperature. PA-11, conversely, was sensitive to ethanol fuel and expressive changes of its physical-mechanical properties were verified. For both materials, a reasonable correlation between crystallinity and mechanical properties was established.

Whitening Generation in PVDF Under Cyclic Loading

Whitening is defined as the change in the opacity of a polymeric material due to microvoid nucleation and/or grow, resulting in volume increase and possible modification of the mechanical properties. Its formation may arise from processing conditions or mechanical stresses acting in the polymers. The understanding of the whitening phenomenon and its effect on mechanical behavior is of great importance for engineering application; for instance, poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) is widely used as pressure barrier in flexible raisers, where high pressure and aggressive media are presents and the presence of whitening may increase the gas permeation rate.The present study, cyclic loading experiments were performed on PVDF to generate whitening in a controlled manner. Subsequently, the whitening effect on the mechanical properties were evaluated using tensile tests and the structure was evaluated using X-ray diffraction, while the fracture surface was analyzed via scanning electron microscopy. It was observed that cyclic load was able to nucleated the voids and there was an increase in the crystallinity and in the mechanical properties of the material.Copyright

Fatigue and quasi-static analysis of a new type of surface preparation used for the CFRP repair of steel offshore structures

ABSTRACT In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in repairing offshore steel structures by using adhesively joined carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP). For such procedure, surface preparation plays a vital role to maintain the integrity of the joint and to ensure proper load transfer. The primary surface preparation used by the oil and gas industry is the grit blasting due to its known quality. However, the logistic required is a major drawback limiting the use of adhesively joined repairs. Other surface preparation procedures available are unable to promote proper treatment. In this paper, an alternative surface preparation methodology employing a portable machine that uses rotation and impact to treat the steel surface was evaluated by quasi-static and fatigue tests of CFRP/steel adhesively bonded using the double-lap joints. The joints were prepared using non-corroded and severely corroded steel surfaces treated by grit blasting or rotating impact machine. The corroded plate was used to evaluate the efficiency of the rotating impact machine in removing deeply penetrating oxides. Test results showed that the performance of the machine was comparable to grit blasting even for the severely corroded surface with deep pitting. Corrosion in the metallic substrate impaired the quasi-static and fatigue properties.

Data on tensile tests and NMR measurements of poly(vinilidene fluoride) before and after stress relaxation

Poly(vinilidene fluoride) was characterized before and after stress relaxation by tensile tests and time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance (TD-NMR). Tensile tests were performed to provide mechanical properties, focused on the data of elastic modulus for this matter. The TD-NMR technique was used to calculate the fraction of crystalline, constrained amorphous and free amorphous phase, and the transversal relaxation time of each of these phases.