Comparison of mechanical properties of silicone and PVC (polyvinylchloride) cosmetic gloves for articulating hand prostheses

Smit, G.; Plettenburg, D.H.

doi:doi:10.1682/JRRD.2011.12.0238

Comparison of mechanical properties of silicone and PVC (polyvinylchloride) cosmetic gloves for articulating hand prostheses

Title

Comparison of mechanical properties of silicone and PVC (polyvinylchloride) cosmetic gloves for articulating hand prostheses

Author

Smit, G.
Plettenburg, D.H.

Faculty

Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

Department

BioMechanical Engineering

Date

2013-08-26

Abstract

Current articulating electric and body-powered hands have a lower pinch force (15–34 N) than electric hands with stiff fingers (55–100 N). The cosmetic glove, which covers a hand prosthesis, negatively affects the mechanical efficiency of a prosthesis. The goal of this study is to mechanically compare polyvinylchloride (PVC) and silicone cosmetic gloves and quantify the stiffness of the finger joints, the required actuation energy, and the energy dissipation during joint articulation. Six cosmetic gloves, identical in size but made from different materials, were mechanically tested: three PVC and three silicone. The silicone gloves required less work and dissipated less energy during flexing. They also had a lower joint stiffness and required a lower maximum joint torque. Based on energy requirements, joint stiffness, and required joint torque, the tested silicone glove is most suitable for application on an articulating hand prosthesis.

Subject

body powered
efficiency
hysteresis
prosthetic design
prosthetic evaluation
prosthetic hand
cosmetic glove
silocone glove
pvc glove
handprothese
handprothesen
armprothese
armprothesen
kunstledematen
upper limb