The use of silicone materials to model abdominal aortic aneurysm behaviour

This paper aims to identify the rupture locations of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Dow Corning Sylgard 184 was mechanically characterised. Five idealised models were then manufactured using this silicone rubber which were subsequently inflated to rupture with the images recorded using a high speed camera. Four of the five models tested ruptured at inflection points in the proximal and distal regions of the aneurysm sac, and not at regions of maximum diameter.