Static and dynamic mechanical testing of a polymer with potential use as heart valve material

Abstract

DEDICATIONI dedicate this thesis to my Family and to Maria. Their love and support has been crucial in order for me to complete this work.iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Two and a half years ago I knocked on Dr. Schoephoerster's door. I told him I wanted to work towards a master's degree under his supervision. He told me he had nothing available at the time. Four more visits after that he had something for me. Dr.Schoephoerster, thank you for giving me a chance and believing in me.Maria Marquine, thank you for your love, hope, and understanding. Your help with the document was very important.Mariana Oliva, thank you for your long hours of work making the specimens for my tests.Siobhain Gallocher, thank you for always being there for me.Dr. Vladimir Kasyanov, I really enjoyed working with you. Thank you for your support.Dr. James Byrne, your help in the lab was very valuable.Valve Team, thank you for creating such an enjoyable work environment.Dr. Moore and Dr. Agarwal, thank you for your guidance and advice.Dr. Wu and his team, thank you for your help and patience. both its static and dynamic properties as compared to the PU. Hence, this composite has the potential to be a more suitable material for synthetic tri-leaflet heart valves.

Effect of Elevated Temperature on Bending Fatigue Behavior for Neat and Reinforced Polyamide 6,6

“…As polymer composites recently used in manufacturing of some mechanical parts such as gears, bearings, clutches, etc.., and these parts are mainly severed cyclic loading, as well as polymers have a high tendency to appear a clear deformation especially at temperatures higher than their glass transition temperature, therefore, the investigation of fatigue behavior at room and elevated temperature is more important [4].…”