Instron Uniaxial Tensile Testing:
Structural & Material Properties of
Sutures
Class:
BE210
Group: 102_B3
Members:
Julianne Huegel
Will Okech
Chia-Heng Wu
Date:
April 2006
Powerpoint Presentation
Full Text
The main goal of this experiment is to collect data
concerning the material properties of the two different mattress suture
techniques. Force-displacement curves
will be generated by the Instron as it deforms the sutures. This data will be manipulated into a
stress-strain curve from which failure strength and the Young’s modulus for
each suture type will be determined. It
is hypothesized that the vertical mattress suture will have both greater
failure strength and greater Young’s modulus than the horizontal mattress
suture. Although previous
experimentation measured deformation of these sutures, this experimental protocol
will allow for the investigation of various material properties of the sutures
to better analyze which suture technique is better. The superior suture technique is defined as
the one with a consistently higher failure strength and a greater Young’s modulus,
signifying a greater force to deformation ratio. These properties can give some indication of
which technique will perform better under stress applied to the skin or other
biological materials.
Other goals encompassed in this experiment include becoming familiar with the Instron technology by practicing loading and deforming a weak material (cheesecloth) to failure. This allows for a better understanding of the instrument which will in turn facilitate the collection of more accurate data when testing the sutures. Weak thread will also be available to practice both suture techniques as well as to investigate the effects of the spacing and size of the individual stitches. Preparation for the experimental trials will increase understanding of how the material should be loaded into the clamps, what rate of deformation provides the best data curve, how to go about modifying the clamps to counteract slippage, etc. Again, the greater understanding of the Instron and its operation will allow for improved experimental technique.