Mechanical characterization of bulk Sylgard 184 for microfluidics and microengineering

Abstract

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomers are extensively used for soft lithographic replication of microstructures in microfluidic and micro-engineering applications. Elastomeric microstructures are commonly required to fulfil an explicit mechanical role and accordingly their mechanical properties can critically affect device performance. The mechanical properties of elastomers are known to vary with both curing and operational temperatures. However, even for the elastomer most commonly employed in microfluidic applications, Sylgard 184, only a very limited range of data exists regarding the variation in mechanical properties of bulk PDMS with curing temperature. We report an investigation of the variation in the mechanical properties of bulk Sylgard 184 with curing temperature, over the range 25 °C to 200 °C. PDMS samples for tensile and compressive testing were fabricated according to ASTM standards. Data obtained indicates variation in mechanical properties due to curing temperature for Young's modulus of 1.32–2.97 MPa, ultimate tensile strength of 3.51–7.65 MPa, compressive modulus of 117.8–186.9 MPa and ultimate compressive strength of 28.4–51.7 GPa in a range up to 40% strain and hardness of 44–54 ShA.

Effects of Fumed and Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles on the Properties of Sylgard 184 Polydimethylsiloxane

“…In this paper, we systematically studied the effects of silica nanoparticles on the properties of the most commonly used PDMS in microfluidics, Sylgard 184 (Dow Corning Corporation, Midland, MI, USA) [3,5,10,11,20]. The thermal and mechanical stabilities, swelling characteristics and transparency were all examined.…”

A skin-like stretchable colorimetric temperature sensor

“…By comparison, PDMS has a tensile Young's modulus in the range of 1.32-2.97 MPa, slightly higher than that of skin [33][34][35]. It is proved that compatible component can endow the polymer blend improved mechanical properties [36].…”

Characterization of Ferrofluid-Based Stimuli-Responsive Elastomers

“…have shown that YPDMS can be in the range of the megapascal (Johnston et al, 2014). As a rule, it has been demonstrated that YPDMS strongly varies on both the curing agent/base elastomer ratio, temperature, baking time, and baking conditions (Fuard et al, 2008;Johnston et al, 2014).…”

“…have shown that YPDMS can be in the range of the megapascal (Johnston et al, 2014). As a rule, it has been demonstrated that YPDMS strongly varies on both the curing agent/base elastomer ratio, temperature, baking time, and baking conditions (Fuard et al, 2008;Johnston et al, 2014). Specifically, in Brau et al (2011) and Terwagne et al (2014), the Young's modulus of PDMS is shown to vary between 10 and 1,000 kPa depending of the aforementioned technological conditions.…”