Enhanced Flame Retardancy in Ethylene–Vinyl Acetate Copolymer/Magnesium Hydroxide/Polycarbosilane Blends

A polymer ceramic precursor material—polycarbosilane (PCS)—was used as a synergistic additive with magnesium hydroxide (MH) in flame-retardant ethylene–vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) composites via the melt-blending method. The flame-retardant properties of EVA/MH/PCS were evaluated by the limiting oxygen index (LOI) and a cone calorimeter (CONE). The results revealed a dramatic synergistic effect between PCS and MH, showing a 114% increase in the LOI value and a 46% decrease in the peak heat release rate (pHRR) with the addition of 2 wt.% PCS to the EVA/MH composite. Further study of the residual char by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) proved that a cohesive and compact char formed due to the ceramization of PCS and close packing of spherical magnesium oxide particles. Thermogravimetric analysis coupled with Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (TG–FTIR) and pyrolysis–gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (Py–GC/MS) were applied to investigate the flame-retardant mechanism of EVA/MH/PCS. The synergistic effect between PCS and MH exerted an impact on the thermal degradation products of EVA/MH/PCS, and acetic products were inhibited in the gas phase.

Investigation of the Optimal Mouthpiece Material for Proton Therapy of Head and Neck Cancer

Purpose: To investigate how the materials of mouthpieces used for proton therapy of head and neck cancer affect the dose distribution in surrounding normal tissue by focusing on the CT values of the materials.Methods: Six dental materials were used to measure CT values: temporary relining resin, tissue conditioner, vinyl polysiloxane, thermoplastic ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer splint, silicone rubber impression material, and a composite impression material. Among these materials, three of the dental materials were investigated further: one material with the CT value closest to water, and the materials with the highest and lowest CT values. Based on these results, we investigated the effect of the CT value of the mouthpiece on the dose distribution in 17 cases in which a mouthpiece was used during proton therapy for head and neck cancers, the treatment plans were recalculated by changing the CT values of the mouthpiece to that of the three identified dental materials. For each cancer case, the irradiation dose to normal tissue was calculated for the treatment plans. The evaluation indices were set to the mandible max dose (GyE), the mandible mean dose (GyE), the volume of the mandible irradiated above 60 GyE (mandible V-60GyE), the parotid affected side mean dose (GyE), the parotid unaffected side mean dose (GyE), and the oral mean dose (GyE). The Wilcoxon’s rank sum test was used to analyze the significance of the differences between treatment plans.Results: The temporary relining resin with the CT value closest to water was 36.9 HU, the vinyl polysiloxane with the highest CT value was 985 HU, and the thermoplastic ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer splint with the lowest CT value was -89.7 HU. The maximum absolute difference among the treatment plans per case was 4.18 GyE for the oral mean dose. The radiation dose for the evaluation indices did not differ significantly among the treatment plans. Conclusion: In the range of CT values from -89.7 HU to 985.0 HU covered in this study, the effect of the CT value of the mouthpiece on the dose distribution may be considered to have no clinical impact.

The use of ground & ultrasonicated dolomite (GUD) for improving the tensile performance of Poly (ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) copolymer composite

The combination of the organic and inorganic materials to fabricate a new form of material called ‘composite’ has been performed since several decades ago. However, the strategy to improve the homogeneity of the resultant composite system is still being the main focus of current research. In this study, dolomite and poly (ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (PEVAc) were employed as filler and matrix, respectively. Dolomite was ground and ultrasonicated before being used as filler. It can be observed that the size of dolomite particles has been reduced significantly upon the grinding and ultrasonication processes. The effect of ground and ultrasonicated dolomite (GUD) addition on the mechanical performance of the PEVAc copolymer was investigated. Results indicate that the GUD filler has successfully increased the tensile strength, elongation at break, modulus of elasticity and tensile toughness of the PEVAc copolymer when being employed in 1 wt%. However, the use of higher content of GUD resulted in the decreasing trend of those properties. This shows that the ground and ultrasonicated dolomite with smaller and higher surface area particles than its pristine form could bring improvement to the mechanical performance of the copolymer when being used in low loading as it can be more easily dispersed in the copolymer matrix.