{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,12]],"date-time":"2026-02-12T11:22:55Z","timestamp":1770895375546,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":57,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"4","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2021,4,17]],"date-time":"2021-04-17T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1618617600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["J. Compos. Sci."],"abstract":"<jats:p>Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is a polymer that has attracted the attention of researchers due to its unique properties such as transparency, biocompatibility, high flexibility, and physical and chemical stability. In addition, PDMS modification and combination with other materials can expand its range of applications. For instance, the ability to perform superhydrophobic coating allows for the manufacture of lenses. However, many of these processes are complex and expensive. One of the most promising modifications, which consists of the development of an interchangeable coating, capable of changing its optical characteristics according to some stimuli, has been underexplored. Thus, we report an experimental study of the mechanical and optical properties and wettability of pure PDMS and of two PDMS composites with the addition of 1% paraffin or beeswax using a gravity casting process. The composites\u2019 tensile strength and hardness were lower when compared with pure PDMS. However, the contact angle was increased, reaching the highest values when using the paraffin additive. Additionally, these composites have shown interesting results for the spectrophotometry tests, i.e., the material changed its optical characteristics when heated, going from opaque at room temperature to transparent, with transmittance around 75%, at 70 \u00b0C. As a result, these materials have great potential for use in smart devices, such as sensors, due to its ability to change its transparency at high temperatures.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/jcs5040110","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2021,4,18]],"date-time":"2021-04-18T22:15:13Z","timestamp":1618784113000},"page":"110","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":25,"title":["Composite Material of PDMS with Interchangeable Transmittance: Study of Optical, Mechanical Properties and Wettability"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"5","author":[{"given":"Flaminio","family":"Sales","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"ESTiG, Instituto Polit\u00e9cnico de Bragan\u00e7a, 5300-252 Bragan\u00e7a, Portugal"}]},{"given":"Andrews","family":"Souza","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"ESTiG, Instituto Polit\u00e9cnico de Bragan\u00e7a, 5300-252 Bragan\u00e7a, Portugal"}]},{"given":"Ronaldo","family":"Ariati","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"ESTiG, Instituto Polit\u00e9cnico de Bragan\u00e7a, 5300-252 Bragan\u00e7a, Portugal"}]},{"given":"Ver\u00f4nica","family":"Noronha","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"ESTiG, Instituto Polit\u00e9cnico de Bragan\u00e7a, 5300-252 Bragan\u00e7a, Portugal"}]},{"given":"Elder","family":"Giovanetti","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"ESTiG, Instituto Polit\u00e9cnico de Bragan\u00e7a, 5300-252 Bragan\u00e7a, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3428-637X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Rui","family":"Lima","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"MEtRICs, Mechanical Engineering Department, Campus de Azur\u00e9m, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimar\u00e3es, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6300-148X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jo\u00e3o","family":"Ribeiro","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"ESTiG, Instituto Polit\u00e9cnico de Bragan\u00e7a, 5300-252 Bragan\u00e7a, Portugal"},{"name":"CIMO, Instituto Polit\u00e9cnico de Bragan\u00e7a, 5300-252 Bragan\u00e7a, Portugal"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2021,4,17]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Salazar-Hern\u00e1ndez, C., Salazar-Hern\u00e1ndez, M., Carrera-Cerritos, R., Mendoza-Miranda, J.M., Elorza-Rodr\u00edguez, E., Miranda-Avil\u00e9s, R., and Mocada-S\u00e1nchez, C.D. (2019). Anticorrosive properties of PDMS-Silica coatings: Effect of methyl, phenyl and amino groups. Prog. Org. Coat., 136.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.porgcoat.2019.105220"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"942","DOI":"10.1016\/j.msec.2017.04.077","article-title":"Preparation and characterization of polymers based on PDMS and PEG-DMA as potential scaffold for cell growth","volume":"78","author":"Adiguzel","year":"2017","journal-title":"Mater. Sci. Eng. C"},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"190","DOI":"10.1016\/j.eurpolymj.2018.02.029","article-title":"Influence of PDMS molecular weight on transparency and mechanical properties of soft polysiloxane-urea-elastomers for intraocular lens application","volume":"101","author":"Riehle","year":"2018","journal-title":"Eur. Polym. J."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.24243\/JMEB\/4.1.163","article-title":"Study of PDMS characterization and its applications in biomedicine: A review","volume":"4","author":"Victor","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Mech. Eng. Biomech."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2003517","DOI":"10.1002\/smll.202003517","article-title":"Organ-on-a-Chip: A Preclinical Microfluidic Platform for the Progress of Nanomedicine","volume":"16","author":"Rodrigues","year":"2020","journal-title":"Small"},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"87","DOI":"10.2174\/1874120702014010087","article-title":"In vitro Biomodels in Stenotic Arteries to Perform Blood Analogues Flow Visualizations and Measurements: A Review","volume":"14","author":"Carvalho","year":"2021","journal-title":"Open Biomed. Eng. J."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Souza, A., Souza, M.S., Pinho, D., Agujetas, R., Ferrera, C., Lima, R., Puga, H., and Ribeiro, J. (2020). 3D manufacturing of intracranial aneurysm biomodels for flow visualizations: Low cost fabrication processes. Mech. Res. Commun., 107.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.mechrescom.2020.103535"},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"214","DOI":"10.1016\/j.polymer.2016.09.044","article-title":"Characterizations of PDMS-graft copolyimide membrane and the permselectivity of gases and aqueous organic mixtures","volume":"103","author":"Yun","year":"2016","journal-title":"Polymer"},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"100","DOI":"10.1016\/j.porgcoat.2019.03.043","article-title":"Superhydrophobic PDMS\/wax coated polyester textiles with self-healing ability via inlaying method","volume":"132","author":"Zhao","year":"2019","journal-title":"Prog. Org. Coat."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"118273","DOI":"10.1016\/j.seppur.2020.118273","article-title":"Facile fabrication of hydrophobic and underwater superoleophilic elastic and mechanical robust graphene\/PDMS sponge for oil\/water separation","volume":"261","author":"Pan","year":"2021","journal-title":"Sep. Purif. Technol."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"70","DOI":"10.1016\/j.yofte.2017.01.006","article-title":"Toluene optical fibre sensor based on air microcavity in PDMS","volume":"34","author":"Kacik","year":"2017","journal-title":"Opt. Fiber Technol."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102185","DOI":"10.1016\/j.yofte.2020.102185","article-title":"PDMS-coated no-core fiber interferometer with enhanced sensitivity for temperature monitoring applications","volume":"57","author":"Yi","year":"2020","journal-title":"Opt. Fiber Technol."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"470","DOI":"10.1016\/j.matdes.2016.02.049","article-title":"Effect of cyclic compression and curing agent concentration on the stabilization of mechanical properties of PDMS elastomer","volume":"96","author":"Lee","year":"2016","journal-title":"Mater. Des."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"105705","DOI":"10.1016\/j.porgcoat.2020.105705","article-title":"Self-lubricating coatings via PDMS micro-gel dispersions","volume":"146","author":"Ressel","year":"2020","journal-title":"Prog. Org. Coat."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gouyon, J., d\u2019Orly\u00e9, F., Griveau, S., Bedioui, F., and Varenne, A. (2020). Characterization of home-made graphite\/PDMS microband electrodes for amperometric detection in an original reusable glass-NOA\u00ae-PDMS electrophoretic microdevice. Electrochim. Acta, 329.","DOI":"10.1016\/j.electacta.2019.135164"},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Carneiro, J., Lima, R., Campos, J., and Miranda, J. (2021). Microparticle blood analogue suspension matching blood rheology. Soft Matter.","DOI":"10.1039\/D1SM00106J"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"18","DOI":"10.1016\/j.mechrescom.2019.103399","article-title":"Flexible PDMS microparticles to mimic RBCs in blood particulate analogue fluids","volume":"100","author":"Pinho","year":"2019","journal-title":"Mech. Res. Commun."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"014122","DOI":"10.1063\/1.4943007","article-title":"Generation of micro-sized PDMS particles by a flow focusing technique for biomicrofluidics applications","volume":"10","author":"Silva","year":"2016","journal-title":"Biomicrofluidics"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"43","DOI":"10.1016\/j.sna.2018.04.047","article-title":"Fabrication and thermoresistive behavior characterization of three-dimensional silver-polydimethylsiloxane (Ag-PDMS) microbridges in a mini-channel","volume":"277","author":"Maram","year":"2018","journal-title":"Sens. Actuators A Phys."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Akther, F., Yakob, S.B., Nguyen, N.T., and Ta, H.T. (2020). Surface Modification Techniques for Endothelial Cell Seeding in PDMS Microfluidic Devices. Biosensors, 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/bios10110182"},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Catarino, S.O., Rodrigues, R.O., Pinho, D., Miranda, J.M., Minas, G., and Lima, R. (2019). Blood cells separation and sorting techniques of passive microfluidic devices: From fabrication to applications. Micromachines, 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/mi10090593"},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1007\/s11051-016-3498-7","article-title":"Haemocompatibility of iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized for theranostic applications: A high-sensitivity microfluidic tool","volume":"18","author":"Rodrigues","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Nanoparticle Res."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Boas, L.V., Faustino, V., Lima, R., Miranda, J.M., Minas, G., Fernandes, C.S.V., and Catarino, S.O. (2018). Assessment of the deformability and velocity of healthy and artificially impaired red blood cells in narrow polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannels. Micromachines, 9.","DOI":"10.3390\/mi9080384"},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Johnston, I.D., McCluskey, D.K., Tan, C.K.L., and Tracey, M.C. (2014). Mechanical characterization of bulk Sylgard 184 for microfluidics and microengineering. J. Micromech. Microeng., 24.","DOI":"10.1088\/0960-1317\/24\/3\/035017"},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"153","DOI":"10.1016\/j.optmat.2018.08.051","article-title":"(Isaac) Investigating the mechanical and optical properties of thin PDMS film by flat-punched indentation","volume":"85","author":"Park","year":"2018","journal-title":"Opt. Mater."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"149","DOI":"10.1016\/j.actbio.2019.06.040","article-title":"Permeability and mechanical properties of gradient porous PDMS scaffolds fabricated by 3D-printed sacrificial templates designed with minimal surfaces","volume":"96","author":"Montazerian","year":"2019","journal-title":"Acta Biomater."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"347","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jmbbm.2013.01.010","article-title":"Enhanced mechanical properties and blood compatibility of PDMS\/liquid crystal cross-linked membrane materials","volume":"20","author":"Rao","year":"2013","journal-title":"J. Mech. Behav. Biomed. Mater."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Souza, A., Marques, E., Balsa, C., and Ribeiro, J. (2020). Characterization of shear strain on PDMS: Numerical and experimental approaches. Appl. Sci., 10.","DOI":"10.20944\/preprints202004.0461.v1"},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"108219","DOI":"10.1016\/j.matdes.2019.108219","article-title":"Temperature-dependent thermal and mechanical properties of flexible functional PDMS\/paraffin composites","volume":"185","author":"Shi","year":"2020","journal-title":"Mater. Des."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"57","DOI":"10.1016\/j.memsci.2016.10.028","article-title":"PDMS\/PVDF hybrid electrospun membrane with superhydrophobic property and drop impact dynamics for dyeing wastewater treatment using membrane distillation","volume":"525","author":"An","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Memb. Sci."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"145016","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apsusc.2019.145016","article-title":"Effect of PDMS on the waterproofing performance and corrosion resistance of cement mortar","volume":"507","author":"Wang","year":"2020","journal-title":"Appl. Surf. Sci."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1930","DOI":"10.1016\/j.radphyschem.2012.08.004","article-title":"Effect of electron beam irradiation on dynamic mechanical, thermal and morphological properties of LLDPE and PDMS rubber blends","volume":"81","author":"Giri","year":"2012","journal-title":"Radiat. Phys. Chem."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"107","DOI":"10.1016\/j.sna.2018.07.003","article-title":"Using thickness-shear mode quartz resonator for characterizing the viscoelastic properties of PDMS during cross-linking, from the liquid to the solid state and at different temperatures","volume":"280","author":"Razan","year":"2018","journal-title":"Sens. Actuators A Phys."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"26","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cej.2017.07.114","article-title":"Robust translucent superhydrophobic PDMS\/PMMA film by facile one-step spray for self-cleaning and efficient emulsion separation","volume":"330","author":"Liu","year":"2017","journal-title":"Chem. Eng. J."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cej.2015.12.026","article-title":"Fabrication of superhydrophobic fibre and its application to selective oil spill removal","volume":"289","author":"Lee","year":"2016","journal-title":"Chem. Eng. J."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"447","DOI":"10.1016\/j.memsci.2018.06.015","article-title":"Fabrication and characterization of micro-patterned PDMS composite membranes for enhanced ethanol recovery","volume":"563","author":"He","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Memb. Sci."},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"23","DOI":"10.1016\/j.talanta.2018.07.066","article-title":"Superhydrophobic candle soot\/PDMS substrate for one-step enrichment and desalting of peptides in MALDI MS analysis","volume":"190","author":"Wang","year":"2018","journal-title":"Talanta"},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"232","DOI":"10.1016\/j.porgcoat.2019.02.020","article-title":"Transparent self-cleaning coating of modified polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) for real outdoor application","volume":"131","author":"Syafiq","year":"2019","journal-title":"Prog. Org. Coat."},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"105622","DOI":"10.1016\/j.porgcoat.2020.105622","article-title":"Fabrication and characterization of a PDMS modified polyurethane\/Al composite coating with super-hydrophobicity and low infrared emissivity","volume":"143","author":"Zhang","year":"2020","journal-title":"Prog. Org. Coat."},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"263","DOI":"10.1016\/j.porgcoat.2019.06.016","article-title":"Facile one-step fabrication of PHC\/PDMS anti-icing coatings with mechanical properties and good durability","volume":"135","author":"Hong","year":"2019","journal-title":"Prog. Org. Coat."},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"621","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cej.2017.10.006","article-title":"Rational construction of highly transparent superhydrophobic coatings based on a non-particle, fluorine-free and water-rich system for versatile oil-water separation","volume":"333","author":"Gao","year":"2018","journal-title":"Chem. Eng. J."},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"424","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cherd.2018.01.045","article-title":"Preparation and characterization of SiO2\/PDMS\/PVDF composite membrane for phenols recovery from coal gasification wastewater in pervaporation","volume":"132","author":"Li","year":"2018","journal-title":"Chem. Eng. Res. Des."},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"307","DOI":"10.1016\/j.compscitech.2015.07.003","article-title":"Thermal stability, mechanical and optical properties of novel addition cured PDMS composites with nano-silica sol and MQ silicone resin","volume":"117","author":"Chen","year":"2015","journal-title":"Compos. Sci. Technol."},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"145754","DOI":"10.1016\/j.apsusc.2020.145754","article-title":"Fabrication of durable superhydrophobic surfaces using PDMS and beeswax for drag reduction of internal turbulent flow","volume":"513","author":"Pakzad","year":"2020","journal-title":"Appl. Surf. Sci."},{"key":"ref_45","first-page":"563","article-title":"Physical-chemical properties of PDMS samples used in tunable lenses","volume":"3","author":"Iturbide","year":"2014","journal-title":"Int. J. Eng. Sci. Innov. Technol."},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e03064","DOI":"10.1016\/j.heliyon.2019.e03064","article-title":"PDMS samples characterization with variations of synthesis parameters for tunable optics applications","volume":"5","year":"2019","journal-title":"Heliyon"},{"key":"ref_47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"383","DOI":"10.1016\/j.snb.2015.12.070","article-title":"Single step fabrication and characterization of PDMS micro lens and its use in optocapillary flow manipulation","volume":"227","author":"Damodara","year":"2016","journal-title":"Sens. Actuators B Chem."},{"key":"ref_48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"805","DOI":"10.1016\/j.carbon.2015.10.014","article-title":"PDMS-paraffin\/graphene laminated films with electrothermally switchable haze","volume":"96","author":"Park","year":"2016","journal-title":"Carbon N. Y."},{"key":"ref_49","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Arumugam, S., Kandasamy, J., Md Shah, A.U., Hameed Sultan, M.T., Safri, S.N.A., Abdul Majid, M.S., Basri, A.A., and Mustapha, F. (2020). Investigations on the Mechanical Properties of Glass Fiber\/Sisal Fiber\/Chitosan Reinforced Hybrid Polymer Sandwich Composite Scaffolds for Bone Fracture Fixation Applications. Polymers, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/polym12071501"},{"key":"ref_50","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"475","DOI":"10.1016\/j.mattod.2017.12.004","article-title":"High stiffness polymer composite with tunable transparency","volume":"21","author":"Owuor","year":"2018","journal-title":"Mater. Today"},{"key":"ref_51","unstructured":"ASTM (2009). ASTM D412-16: Standard Test Methods for Vulcanized Rubber and Thermoplastic Elastomers, ASTM."},{"key":"ref_52","unstructured":"ASTM (2015). ASTM D2240: Standard Test Method for Rubber Property-Durometer Hardness 2015, ASTM."},{"key":"ref_53","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bucio, A., Moreno-Tovar, R., Bucio, L., Espinosa-D\u00e1vila, J., and Anguebes-Franceschi, F. (2021). Characterization of Beeswax, Candelilla Wax and Paraffin Wax for Coating Cheeses. Coatings, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/coatings11030261"},{"key":"ref_54","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"742","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jcis.2018.09.011","article-title":"Functional food packaging for reducing residual liquid food: Thermo-resistant edible super-hydrophobic coating from coffee and beeswax","volume":"533","author":"Zhang","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Colloid Interface Sci."},{"key":"ref_55","unstructured":"(2017). Dow Chemical Company Technical Data Sheet: Sylgard 184, Sigma-Aldrich Co."},{"key":"ref_56","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"217","DOI":"10.1016\/j.radphyschem.2018.06.030","article-title":"Structural, morphological and mechanical properties of gamma irradiated low density polyethylene\/paraffin wax blends","volume":"151","author":"Elnahas","year":"2018","journal-title":"Radiat. Phys. Chem."},{"key":"ref_57","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"261","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-319-09411-3_28","article-title":"An in vitro experimental evaluation of the displacement field in an intracranial aneurysm model","volume":"24","author":"Pinho","year":"2015","journal-title":"Mech. Mach. Sci."}],"container-title":["Journal of Composites Science"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2504-477X\/5\/4\/110\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,11]],"date-time":"2025-10-11T05:49:11Z","timestamp":1760161751000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2504-477X\/5\/4\/110"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2021,4,17]]},"references-count":57,"journal-issue":{"issue":"4","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2021,4]]}},"alternative-id":["jcs5040110"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/jcs5040110","relation":{},"ISSN":["2504-477X"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2504-477X","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2021,4,17]]}}}