Influence of Different Pigmentations and Accelerated Aging on the Hardness and Tear Strength of the A-2186 and MDX4-4210 Silicones

Objective. To evaluate the influence of different pigmentations and accelerated aging on the hardness and tear strength of the A-2186 and MDX4-4210 silicones. Materials and Methods. The samples A-2186 and MDX4-4210 were manufactured without and with pigmentations (black, bronze, and pink). For the Shore A hardness test, 80 samples of each silicone were fabricated, and for the tear strength test, 320 samples of each silicone were fabricated. Eight groups were created for each test (n = 10). These tests were performed before and after 252, 504, and 1008 hours of aging. Three-way repeated-measures analysis of variance and the Tukey test were performed (α = 0.05). Results. The A-2186 silicone showed higher hardness and tear strength when compared with the MDX4-4210 silicone p0.05. All hardness values were between 25 and 35 units, regardless of the silicone type, period, and pigmentation (or no pigmentation). In most situations, the hardness of silicones used increased after 252 hours p0.05. In all A-2186 groups, from 252 to 504 hours, there was a reduction in tear strength p