title: How does vacuum forming affect Pelite mechanical properties?
abstract: Pelite is a polyethylene closed cell foam commonly used as an interface material in prosthetics. Both normal and vacuum-formed Pelite were tested under compression and under shear loading. For shear testing, the results were not significantly different for normal and vacuum-formed Pelite. For normal Pelite, the slope of the stress-strain curve was 1.17MPa (+/- 0.14) while for vacuum-formed Pelite it was 1.24MPa (+/- 0.22). Compressive results, however, were significantly different. Below 80kPa of applied compression, the slope of the stress-strain curve for normal Pelite was 0.99MPa (+/- 0.11) while for vacuum formed Pelite it was 0.72MPa (+/- 0.12). Between 80kPa and 200kPa of applied compression, the slope of the stress-strain curve for normal Pelite was 0.45MPa (+/- 0.03) while for vacuum formed Pelite it was 0.55MPa (+/- 0.05). Reasons for the differences and their significance to interface mechanics and computer-aided prosthesis design are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Rehabilitation Medicine Department, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Daly
mesh_terms: D001186:Artificial Limbs; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000601:surgery*; D008422:Materials Testing; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D011312:Pressure; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014618:Vacuum; D016474:Weight-Bearing
chemical_list: D011095:Polyethylenes