An original architectured NiTi silicone rubber structure for biomedical applications

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials science
• Materials engineering
• Biomedical engineering

Background:

• Composite structures are vital for biomedical applications.
• Adhesion between Nickel Titanium (NiTi) shape memory alloy (SMA) and silicone rubber is critical for structural integrity.
• Previous research indicated adhesion promoters or plasma treatment improve NiTi-silicone bonding, but adhesion promoters lack biocompatibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of plasma treatment using different gases to enhance the adhesion between NiTi SMA and silicone rubber.
• To fabricate and test an architectured tubular NiTi/silicone rubber composite structure for biomechanical applications.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of an architectured tubular structure using NiTi SMA and silicone rubber.
• Plasma treatment of NiTi surfaces using air, argon, and oxygen gases.
• Pull-out tests using a self-developed device to quantify adhesion strength.
• Bulge testing of the fabricated NiTi/silicone rubber composite tube.

Main Results:

• Plasma treatment with argon gas yielded the highest pull-out force, indicating superior adhesion between NiTi and silicone rubber.
• An architectured tubular NiTi/silicone rubber structure was successfully fabricated using argon plasma treatment.
• The composite structure demonstrated potential through bulge testing, paving the way for further biomechanical investigations.

Conclusions:

• Argon plasma treatment is an effective method for enhancing NiTi-silicone rubber adhesion in composite structures.
• The developed architectured NiTi-silicone structures show promise for advanced biomechanical applications.
• This study opens new avenues for research into NiTi-silicone composites for biomedical uses.