Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 1, 2026
Quasistatic Mechanical Testing for Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing Occlusal Veneers Cemented to Milled Dentin Analog Material
Published on: December 20, 2024
Investigation of dental materials as skin simulants for forensic skin/skull/brain model impact testing
Lisa Falland-Cheung1, Nicholas Pittar2, Darryl Tong2
1Sir John Walsh Research Institute, University of Otago, 310 Great King Street, Dunedin, 9016, New Zealand. falland.ohio@gmail.com.
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.
