On the large strain deformation behavior of silicone-based elastomers for biomedical applications

The results of a comprehensive mechanical analysis of five silicone-based elastomers are presented. Large strain monotonic tests were performed under uniaxial, strip biaxial and equi-biaxial stress states. Based on the multiaxial experimental data, hyperelastic constitutive models were determined for each material. The small strain elastic modulus ranges from 49 kPa to 1.5 MPa, and the materials show different degrees of non-linearity of their stress-strain response. Data on the time and history dependence allow determining the deviation from the behavior predicted using a non-dissipative hyperelastic constitutive model. Next to representing a guideline for a comprehensive characterization of highly deformable materials, the present results provide data which can be used for the selection of an appropriate material, depending on the specific application. The corresponding models can be used to simulate the performance of each elastomer in applications involving large strains and multiaxial loading states.