Infrared Thermal Imaging for Evaluation of Clubfoot After the Ponseti Casting Method—An Exploratory Study

Background: Conservative treatment, Ponseti method, has been considered as a standard method to correct the clubfoot deformity among Orthopedic society. Although the result of conservative methods have been reported with higher success rates than surgical methods, many more problems have been reported due to improper casting, casting pressure or bracing discomfort. Nowadays, infrared thermography (IRT) is widely used as a diagnostic tool to assess musculoskeletal disorders or injuries by detecting temperature abnormalities. Similarly, the foot skin temperature evaluation can be added along with the current subjective evaluation to predict if there is any casting pressure, excessive manipulation, or overcorrections of the foot, and other bracing pressure-related complications.Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to explore the foot skin temperature changes before and after using of manipulation and weekly castings.Methods: This is an explorative study design. Infrared Thermography (IRT), E33 FLIR thermal imaging camera model, was used to collect the thermal images of the clubfoot before and after casting intervention. A total of 120 thermal images (Medial region of the foot–24, Lateral side of the foot–24, Dorsal side of the foot−24, Plantar side of the foot−24, and Heel area of the foot–24) were collected from the selected regions of the clubfoot.Results: The results of univariate statistical analysis showed that significant temperature changes in some regions of the foot after casting, especially, at the 2nd (M = 32.05°C, SD = 0.77, p = 0.05), 3rd (M = 31.61, SD = 1.11; 95% CI: 31.27–31.96; p = 0.00), and 6th week of evaluation on the lateral side of the foot (M = 31.15°C, SD = 1.59; 95% CI: 30.75–31.54, p = 0.000). There was no significant temperature changes throughout the weekly casting in the medial side of the foot. In the heel side of the foot, significant temperature changes were noticed after the third and fourth weeks of casting.Conclusion: This study found that a decreased foot skin temperature on the dorsal and lateral side of the foot at the 6th week of thermography evaluation. The finding of this study suggest that the infrared thermography (IRT) might be useful as an adjunct assessment tool to evaluate the thermophysiological changes, which can be used to predict the complications caused by improper casting, over manipulative or stretching and casting-pressure related complications.

Influence of moulding condition on the properties of dressed and functionalized nanocomposites based on low density polyethylene

The results of a study of the effect of injection molding on the physicomechanical and technological properties of nanocomposites based on functionalized low-density polyethylene by maleic anhydride and dressed with talc γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane are presented. As the object of study, nanocomposites with 5.0 and 30 mass. % of dressed talc were used. Properties such as breaking stress, elongation at break, flexural strength, and volumetric shrinkage were investigated. It was found that the introduction of dressed talc in the composition of chemically modified low density polyethylene contributes to some increase in the breaking stress and the flexural modulus of the nanocomposite. Experimental studies were carried out in a wide range of temperatures of the material cylinder and casting pressure. It was found that comparatively high physical and mechanical properties are achieved in samples obtained at higher temperatures in the zones of the material cylinder. Casting pressure ranged from 50 to 150 MPa. It was found that relatively high physicomechanical and technological properties for nanocomposites with 5.0 and 30 mass. % talc content are achieved at a temperature of the material cylinder in the zones 110 – 130 – 160 – 180 °C and a casting pressure of 150 MPa. A significant reduction in volumetric shrinkage is achieved in samples with 30%mass. talc content. The influence of mold temperature and holding time under pressure on the change in the properties of nanocomposites is considered. It is shown that the most optimal mode in the cooling mold for samples with 5.0 mass. % talc content is 50 °C and the exposure time under pressure is 20 s, and for a nanocomposite with 30%mass. talc content — 50 °C and holding time 10 s. The influence of the location of the gate device relative to the surface of the sample on the change in the properties of composite materials is studied. The scientific substantiation of the discovered patterns in changing the properties of nanocomposites is given.

Effects of Processing Parameters on Microstructure and Properties of Aluminum-Silicon Alloy ADC12

Aluminum-Silicon Alloy, ADC12 is one of the most popular alloys for pressure die casting due to its high castability and high productivity. ADC12 is a hypoeutectic aluminum-silicon alloy that contains 10-12wt% of Si and has an occasional problem for a mechanical properties failure such as crack and shrinkage porosity. This study presents the investigation of the microstructure of ADC12 parts produced by pressured die casting with different process parameters and chemical compositions. The microstructure was observed using optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy – dispersive X-ray (EDX) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) to determine phases, grain, and crystallographic information in order to understand the microstructural evolution after die casting with different process conditions. Changes in casting pressure and a reduction of iron content contributed to enhanced mechanical properties and less shrinkage porosity. This was due to different processing parameters, mainly casting pressure. The average grain size of aluminum matrix was also reduced due to a higher pressure during casting with a moderately fast cooling rate.

Effect of Selected Parameters of Pressure Die Casting on Quality of AlSi9Cu3 Castings

This paper presents the results on the effects of die-casting process on the strength parameters of castings of the aluminium AlSi9Cu3 alloy belonging to the group of EN AB-46000, made on renovated high pressure die-casting machine. Specimens for quality testing were taken from the places of the casting most loaded during the service. The aim of a research was to prove how the new die-casting process control capabilities influence on the tensile strength of the cast material defined as a value of the breaking force of the specimens. It has been found that it is possible to specify a set of recommended settings valves of second (II) and third (III) phase, which are responsible for filling the metal mould on die-casting pressure machine. From the point of view of the finished cast element, it was noticed that exceeding the prescribed values of valve settings does not bring further benefits and even causes unnecessary overload and reduce the durability of the mold. Moreover, it was noticed that reduction of the predetermined setting of the second phase (II) valve leads to the formation of casting defects again.

Influence of Casting Method and Heat Treatment for Corrosion Resistance of Magnesium Alloy AZ91D

In this paper the effect of production method and heat treatment of magnesium alloys to their corrosion resistance is presented. The study was carried out on the AZ91D alloy obtained by permanent mould casting, pressure die casting and pressure die casting with the subsequent heat treatment. Studies of the microstructure were carried out using a light microscope. The corrosion resistance was examined using the Potentiodynamic Test. The surface observations after corrosion tests were carried out using the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). It was stated that the best corrosion resistance is typical for AZ91D alloy produced by pressure die casting method with heat treatment. The alloy after permanent mould casting has got the worst corrosive properties.

Studying on Hot Pressure Casting Process of CaZr0.9In0.1O3-α Tubes for Hydrogen Sensor in Aluminum Melt

The relationship of the powders and binder system and forming process on the quality of the U-shaped proton conducting CaZr0.9In0.1O3-α tubes was studied. The results showed that defect-free green bodies can be obtained under the conditions of the wax slurry containing 87.8% (mass percentage, the same below) proton conductor powders, 11% paraffin wax, 1% beeswax and 0.2% oleic acid, the wax slurry and mold temperature at 73°C and 30°C, the casting pressure and time at 0.5MPa and 15s. A reasonable wax removing schedule about the green bodies was put forward. At last the sintered samples were characterized by higher density and less shrink rate and distortion.