The development of composite polymeric materials for arterial surrogates requires manufacturing processes that ensure high reliability and repeatable mechanical performance. This study presents a preliminary assessment of the manufacturing process variability associated with open-mold casting of textile-reinforced silicone composites. Three distinct batches, each comprising six specimens, were fabricated by embedding a hexagonal-pattern polyethylene terephthalate (PET) mesh within a two-component addition-cure silicone matrix. Uniaxial tensile tests were performed to evaluate the intra-batch and inter-batch variability of the mechanical response. Statistical indices, including the mean Coefficient of Variation (CoV) and the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), were employed to quantify process dispersion and degree of correlation. Preliminary results show a low intra-batch relative dispersion with mean CoV values below 6% for the secant elastic modulus of the composites, and a high degree of correlation (ICC ≥ 0.995). Inter-batch analysis demonstrated strong linear correlation (r > 0.999) and a high inter-batch ICC (0.997). Minor deviations observed across batches were primarily attributed to inherent geometric non-uniformities of the commercial textile mesh rather than the casting procedure itself.
Filippi, F., Genovesi, A., Bocchetta, G., Fiori, G., Barletta, M., Sciuto, S.A., et al. (2026). Preliminary Assessment of Manufacturing Process Variability of Composite Materials for Arterial Surrogates. In Conference Proceedings - 2026 IEEE International Workshop on Metrology for Industry 4.0 and IoT, MetroInd4.0 and IoT 2026 (pp.340-345). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. [10.1109/MetroInd4.0IoT69397.2026.11653065].
Preliminary Assessment of Manufacturing Process Variability of Composite Materials for Arterial Surrogates
Filippi F.
;Genovesi A.;Bocchetta G.;Fiori G.;Barletta M.;Sciuto S. A.;Scorza A.
2026-01-01
Abstract
The development of composite polymeric materials for arterial surrogates requires manufacturing processes that ensure high reliability and repeatable mechanical performance. This study presents a preliminary assessment of the manufacturing process variability associated with open-mold casting of textile-reinforced silicone composites. Three distinct batches, each comprising six specimens, were fabricated by embedding a hexagonal-pattern polyethylene terephthalate (PET) mesh within a two-component addition-cure silicone matrix. Uniaxial tensile tests were performed to evaluate the intra-batch and inter-batch variability of the mechanical response. Statistical indices, including the mean Coefficient of Variation (CoV) and the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC), were employed to quantify process dispersion and degree of correlation. Preliminary results show a low intra-batch relative dispersion with mean CoV values below 6% for the secant elastic modulus of the composites, and a high degree of correlation (ICC ≥ 0.995). Inter-batch analysis demonstrated strong linear correlation (r > 0.999) and a high inter-batch ICC (0.997). Minor deviations observed across batches were primarily attributed to inherent geometric non-uniformities of the commercial textile mesh rather than the casting procedure itself.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
