The kinetics of swelling of spherical poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) composite networks in cyclohexane has been studied. The PDMS composite gels contain magnetite and iron particles built in the network either in randomly distributed form or in chain-like structure. The composite gel becomes anisotropic in the terms of both, mechanical and swelling properties. As a consequence the swelling kinetics can be characterized by direction dependent relaxation time. The swelling kinetics of these samples has been compared to that of pure PDMS gels. It was found that Li-Tanaka theory can be applied to describe the swelling kinetics of PDMS network.

Recent developments in the field of tissue engineering recommend the 3D printing to obtain the complex shape of the final alloplastic grafts (for soft or hard tissues). The medium pressure injection moulding (MEDPIM) technology could be a cost-effective alternative to 3D printing. This paper presents the first studies for the MEDPIM applicability in the case of some alloplastic bone grafts manufacturing. Two biocomposite feedstocks have been researched in order to obtain the injected parts (herein after named green parts). The Ti6Al4V respectively TiH2, both as powder particles, were mixed with hydroxyapatite (HAP) powders in the W 50 EHT measuring mixer. Both powder mixtures contain NaCl as foaming agent as well as some wax-based binders. The MEDPIM process is developed in the laboratory-scale device, designed and manufactured in the frame of the research project BONY. This device replicates, at lab-scale, the MEDPIM process developed by the Goceram MEDPIMOULD equipment, able to work at mass-production scale. The injection moulding tests were performed at the temperature range of 50…110°C, respectively at 30-45 MPa as injection pressure. The green parts quality was evaluated by means of the physical characteristics (dimensional and density measurements) as well as macroscopic evaluation using the stereomicroscope NIKON SMZ 745T. The influence of the biocomposite feedstock type as well as the injection temperature on the green pats quality is studied in this research.