Evaluation of various reinforcements for maxillofacial silicone elastomers.

Various reinforcements have been evaluated according to their effect on the mechanical properties of a silicone elastomer used for the preparation of maxillofacial prosthetic compositions. Emphasis was given to silica reinforcing fillers since fibrillar reinforcements [e.g., short aramid, glass or high modulus polyethylene (UHMPE)] seemed not to improve mechanical properties. An optimal behaviour at filler concentration 35% was determined. As a measure of the crosslinking density, the swelling of specimens immersed in various solvents, at 25 degrees C, was also investigated.