Behavior under impact of two polyvinyl acetate-polyethylene (PVA-PE) polymers and one elastomer - application to custom-made mouthguards

Abstract

A drop tower was used to identify the mechanical behaviors of two polyvinyl acetate-polyethylene (PVA-PE) polymers and one elastomer used to fabricate custom-made mouthguards. The samples were in the form of either small cubes (edge length: 20 mm) or large cubes (edge length: 30 mm). Force and strain were recorded as functions of time, enabling a stress-strain analysis to be performed. In addition, a volume energy analysis was performed. While the three materials were viscoelastic, the stress-strain analysis showed that the PVA-PE polymers were more rigid than the elastomer, i.e., the same stress was reached with a lower strain. With the volume energy analysis, the two PVA-PE polymers were found to absorb a relatively large amount of energy with small sample deformations. Results of this study suggested that the mechanical properties of PVA-PE polymers are particularly useful and relevant for the fabrication of custom-made mouthguards.