Le travail présenté dans ce manuscrit concerne la fabrication de fantômes d'aorte patient spécifiques utilisant une technique de fabrication additive par impression 3D. Ces répliques sont fabriquées en matériaux synthétiques dont les caractéristiques morphologiques et les propriétés mécaniques doivent être proches de celles déterminées sur un patient. Elles permettent d'optimiser ou de développer les techniques d'imagerie médicale, de comprendre les relations entre le comportement mécanique de la paroi aortique et les caractéristiques hémodynamiques du flux sanguin mais aussi de réaliser des entrainements préopératoires aux interventions chirurgicales, telles que le traitement endovasculaire. Dans cette étude, le comportement mécanique hyper-viscoélastique de la paroi aortique est modélisé par un modèle de Maxwell solide généralisé, dont les paramètres ont permis la sélection et le développement de matériaux élastomères de type silicone aux comportements mécaniques contrôlés. Ces matériaux ont été élaborés à partir de mélanges de formulations existantes et des lois de mélange ont été comparées pour guider la définition de la composition idéale permettant d'imiter le comportement mécanique désiré. Nous avons mis au point une méthode basée sur l'imagerie médicale par ultrason, capable d'identifier les paramètres hyper-viscoélastiques d'une paroi vasculaire. Cette méthode a été validée sur des tubes réalisés avec ces formulations de silicone, dont les propriétés mécaniques ont été mesurées avec des méthodes de référence. Puis, ces silicones ont été utilisés dans un processus de fabrication additive utilisant l'impression 3D par voie indirecte. Un travail de conception assistée par ordinateur a été réalisé pour produire un fantôme d'aorte patient-spécifique présentant un anévrisme fusiforme et non-thrombosé dans la région thoracique / The present work deals with the producing of patient-specific aortic phantoms using an additive manufacturing technique by 3D printing. Phantoms are manufactured from synthetic materials with morphological and mechanical characteristics which should be close to these identified on a patient. They can be used to develop techniques of medical imaging, to understand the relationship between aortic mechanical behavior and hemodynamic properties of blood flow, as well as to perform a preoperative training of interventions, such as endovascular treatment. In this study, the hyper-viscoelastic aortic mechanical behavior was described using a generalized solid Maxwell model. Silicone materials were developed based on the model’s mechanical parameters to mimic various aortic mechanical behaviors. These materials were formulated from commercials silicones, and then mixing rules were compared to define the ideal mixture which can mimic the specific mechanical behavior. A nondestructive method based on medical imaging by ultrasound was developed to identify the parameters of a blood vessel hyper-viscoelastic model. Silicone tubes made of our formulations with known reference mechanical parameters, were used to validate this method. Then, these silicone materials were used in an additive manufacturing process using indirect 3D printing. A work of computer aided design was done to produce a patient-specific aortic phantom with a thoracic fusiform aneurysm without thrombosis

L'objectif de la thèse est d'expérimenter et de valider de nouvelles voies d'exfoliation des feuillets de graphène dans des élastomères de type silicone (PDMS) et des thermoplastiques de type polyéthylène (PE). Ce projet s'appuie sur des étapes de modifications chimiques des feuillets de graphite oxydé (GO) dont la polarité initiale n'offre pas une compatibilité satisfaisante avec les matrices étudiées. Différentes approches ont été explorées : la synthèse du GO greffé PDMS a été réalisée avec succès par greffage directe d'un PDMS fonctionnalisé triéthoxysilane et par une réaction d'hydrosilylation catalytique de GO modifiés vinyltriméthoxysilane en présence de polyméthylhydrogénosiloxane. Une étude des propriétés viscoélastiques de suspensions de GO et GO modifié/PDMS a montré l'importance de l'interaction charge-charge sur la formation d'un réseau percolant. Le seuil de percolation rhéologique du GO a été obtenu à 1,75 %wt avec Af~60. En se basant sur le greffage radicalaire du pentadécane par abstraction d'atomes d'H par un peroxyde à haute température, il a été possible d'extrapoler cette réaction pour procéder au greffage d'un PE de faible masse molaire (Mn~2000). De plus, des PE fonctionnalisés thiol et azoture de Mn similaire ont aussi été greffés sur des dérivés du graphite par addition radicalaire et de Michael. Après sélection d'une charge présentant une conductivité en poudre proche du graphite et une bonne affinité pour les milieux alcanes, un nano-composite à base de PEBD présentant des propriétés électriques convenables pour une application de blindage électromagnétique (4.105 Ω.cm à 25%wt) a été réalisé et ceci sans utiliser d'agents réducteurs toxiques / The aim of this thesis was to experiment and validate new means of graphene exfoliation in an elastomer matrix such as silicone (PDMS) and a thermoplastic matrix such as polyethylene (PE). Because of the low affinity of graphene oxide for these matrices due to its high polarity, its chemical modification was carried out. Different approaches were explored: the grafting of PDMS onto GO was carried out with success by a direct functionalization with a PDMS terminated triethoxysilane and by a catalytic hydrosilation reaction of a PDMS terminated Si-H onto vinyltrimethoxysilane modified GO. The viscoelastic behavior of GO and modified GO/PDMS suspensions showed the importance of the filler-filler interaction on the formation of a percolating network. The rheological percolation threshold of the GO/PDMS suspension was obtained at ~1.75 wt% with an aspect ratio (Af) of ~60. In addition, the grafting of PE onto GO was studied with the high temperature radical grafting of pentadecane formed by a hydrogen atom abstraction with a peroxide, which was then extrapolated to a low molecular PE (Mn~2000). Moreover, thio and azide functionnalized PE with a similar Mn were also grafted onto graphite derivatives by a radical and a Michael addition. After choosing the filler which presented the closest electrical conductivity to the one of graphite powder and a good affinity for a heptane media, a LDPE based nano-composite that presented suitable electrical properties for an electromagnetic shielding application (4 105 Ω.cm at 25 wt%) was obtained and this without any use of toxic reducing agents

L’objectif de ces travaux de thèse est de générer de l’amortissement à matériaux silicones, et plus particulièrement de mettre en lumière les relations entre la structure des additifs incorporés dans la base silicone et la morphologie des mélanges, ainsi que leur densité de réticulation et leurs propriétés mécaniques et dynamiques. Une première étude bibliographique a permis de sélectionner les deux types d’additifs étudiés dans nos formulations, à savoir les élastomères silicones thermoplastiques (TPS) et les résines silicones. Les propriétés mécaniques de TPS commerciaux ou synthétisés en laboratoire, seuls et en blends avec une base silicone, ont été comparés selon le taux de TPS ainsi que sa structure. Les hypothèses sur les relations structure-propriétés des différents TPS se sont appuyées sur la bibliographie. L’influence du type de peroxyde et de sa concentration dans la formulation a également été étudiée. Les copolymères silicone-urée préparés avec un diisocyanate asymétrique et non aromatique présentent les amortissements les plus intéressants, une fois mis en mélange à un taux suffisant avec une base silicone et réticulés, tandis qu’un copolymère silicone-amide original montre un amortissement moindre mais à plus basse température. Dans tous les cas, le blend possèdant une faible densité de réticulation présente donc un meilleur amortissement. La deuxième voie d’étude concerne les résines silicones, et plus particulièrement les résines de type MQ et MQQOH. Dans un premier temps, les différentes structures de résines silicones décrites dans la bibliographie et leurs méthodes de synthèse ont été sériées. Dans un deuxième temps, des mélanges ont été réalisés en variant la structure et le taux de résines. Leur influence sur la densité du réseau ainsi que sur les propriétés mécaniques des matériaux après réticulation a été observée. Afin de pouvoir valider ou invalider des hypothèses, certaines résines ont été modifiées chimiquement, avant d’être ajoutées à la base silicone. Finalement, certains paramètres de la structure des résines ont été particulièrement considérés, comme un taux d’hydroxyle faible ou une masse molaire élevée. Le taux de résine dans la base joue un rôle important puisqu’il influe sur la densité de réticulation et sur les propriétés dynamiques du matériau une fois réticulé. / This PhD work aimed at improving the damping properties of silicones materials, and more specifically at highlithing the relationships between the structure of additives in a silicone base and the morphology of the blends, as well as their crosslink density and mechanical and dynamical properties. A preliminary literature survey allowed selecting two types of additives for further formulation: thermoplastic elastomers (TPS) and silicone resins. The mechanical properties of commercial or hand-made TPS, alone or blended with a silicone base, were compared according to the structure of the TPS or its content in the blend. Hypotheses were made about the structure-properties relationships of the different TPS tested, and these hypotheses were confirmed or rejected with the help of literature. The role played by the peroxide type or content was also investigated. It appeared that poly(silicone-urea) copolymers containing non-symmetrical hard segments display better damping properties, especially when they blended at a sufficient content in the silicone base. Blends of silicone base and original silicone-amide copolymers showed lower damping properties but at lower temperature. The damping properties were enhanced when using peroxides that led to a low crosslink density. The second route relates to silicone resins, and more specifically MQ or MQQOH resins. First of all, an inventory of the different structures of silicones resins, as well as their synthesis methods, available in literature was carried out. Next, several blends were prepared by varying the structure or the content of silicone resins, and their influence on the crosslink density or mechanical properties of the final materials was investigated. Some resins were modified in order to validate or reject some hypotheses, such as the influence of the hydroxyl content in the resins or the molar mass. Among the main parameters to obtain damping silicone materials, the crosslink density, influenced by the resin content, plays a major role in the dynamic properties of the crosslinked material.

La pose d’implants mammaires est l’une des interventions chirurgicales les plus courantes en chirurgie plastique. Elle permet de reconstruire un sein après une mastectomie ou d’augmenter son volume pour améliorer le décolleté et la forme du sein. Depuis leur introduction dans les années 1960, les implants mammaires siliconés ont fait l’objet de multiples controverses et leur innocuité a pendant longtemps été questionnée. Ces dispositifs médicaux sont considérés comme sûr par la FDA mais ne sont pas pour autant exempts de complications. L’une d’entre elles, le silicone bleeding, se traduit par la migration de particules de silicone depuis le gel de l’implant vers la capsule péri-prothétique. Ces particules de silicone représentent une source potentielle d’inflammation chronique autour des implants mammaires dont les conséquences à long terme sur la santé des patientes ne sont pas claires. Bien que cette complication soit objectivée depuis les années 1970, il existe à l’heure actuelle peu de données sur la quantité de silicone qui est susceptible de migrer des implants mammaires. L’objectif principal de notre étude a été de quantifier les particules de silicone dans les capsules péri-prothétiques des implants mammaires en décrivant une nouvelle méthode de quantification basée sur une analyse histologique approfondie des spécimens de capsule. Les résultats préliminaires de notre étude ont permis de démontrer que des millions de particules de silicone peuvent diffuser dans la capsule péri-prothétique des implants mammaires siliconés et que l’ampleur du phénomène à tendance à croître avec la durée d’implantation. / The placement of breast implants is one of the most common surgical procedures in the field of plastic surgery. Although these medical devices are considered safe by the FDA, their use is not free of complications. One of these complications is silicone particle bleeding, or the migration of silicone particles from the breast implant into the peri-prosthetic capsule. These particles represent a potential source of chronic inflammation around breast implants, with unclear long-term consequences for patient health. Although this complication has been observed since the 1970s, there is currently very little data on the amount of silicone that is likely to migrate from breast implants. The primary objective of this study was to quantify silicone particles in the peri-prosthetic capsules of breast implants by describing a new method of quantification based on a thorough histological analysis of capsule specimens. Preliminary results of our study have shown that millions of silicone particles can diffuse into the periprosthetic capsule of silicone breast implants and that the amount of silicone particles tends to increase with the duration of implantation.

This thesis describes the work carried out at Brunel University to develop novel optical fibre sensors capable of monitoring the cure state of an epoxy/amine resin system. The sensors were of simple construction, consisting of an optical fibre from which the silicone cladding layer had been removed over a short length. This stripped length was embedded into the curing resin system. The sensor was successfully used in two ways: i) as an evanescent absorption sensor to monitor specific absorption bands of the resin system. The absorption of energy from the evanescent wave of the optical fibre by absorbing media allows evanescent absorption spectra to be obtained. Absorption spectra were obtained from sensors embedded in a model curing resin system over narrow wavelength ranges. These wavelength ranges corresponded to positions of known absorptions in the spectra of active components in epoxy/amine systems. By monitoring the change in these absorptions it was possible to obtain information about concentration of the amine hardener functional group throughout cure; ii) as a refractive index sensor capable of monitoring the changes in the refractive index of the resin system during cure. A laser diode was used to launch light into the sensor and the intensity of light emerging from the other end of the fibre was monitored. Changes in the resin system refractive index caused changes in the guiding properties of this the sensor. This resulted in a significant change in the intensity of light recorded by the detector and allowed the cure process to be followed. This sensor was also embedded into a unidirectional pre-preg system and was able to follow the cure of the system. The results from the two sensing methods have been compared with data obtained using FTIR spectroscopy and Abbe refractometry during the resin system cure. A theoretical model of sensor response has been developed and compared with the experimental data obtained. The sensor response has also been compared to predictions made by several models of evanescent sensor systems obtained from the literature. These models have been modified so that they can be applied to a sensor embedded into a curing resin system. An analysis of the correspondence between theory and experiment is presented.

Elastic sculpture - Cylinders Each object is created from men´s deodorant (spray) and silicone rubber. Shape and scale of the object depends on a size of spray which is cast in the geometric shape. Inflating the object by compression on the top part makes fast deformation or destruction. Instalation include 5-10 objects.

<p>Biofouling, the accumulation of biomolecules, cells, organisms and their deposits on submerged and implanted surfaces, is a ubiquitous problem across various human endeavors including maritime operations, medicine, food industries and biotechnology. Since several decades, there have been substantial research efforts towards developing various types of antifouling and fouling release approaches to control bioaccumulation on man-made surfaces. In this work we hypothesized, investigated and developed dynamic change of the surface area and topology of elastomers as a general approach for biofouling management. Further, we combined dynamic surface deformation of elastomers with other existing antifouling and fouling-release approaches to develop multifunctional, pro-active biofouling control strategies. </p><p>This research work was focused on developing fundamental, new and environment-friendly approaches for biofouling management with emphasis on marine model systems and applications, but which also provided fundamental insights into the control of infectious biofilms on biomedical devices. We used different methods (mechanical stretching, electrical-actuation and pneumatic-actuation) to generate dynamic deformation of elastomer surfaces. Our initial studies showed that dynamic surface deformation methods are effective in detaching laboratory grown bacterial biofilms and barnacles. Further systematic studies revealed that a threshold critical surface strain is required to debond a biofilm from the surface, and this critical strain is dependent on the biofilm mechanical properties including adhesion energy, thickness and modulus. To test the dynamic surface deformation approach in natural environment, we conducted field studies (at Beaufort, NC) in natural seawater using pneumatic-actuation of silicone elastomer. The field studies also confirmed that a critical substrate strain is needed to detach natural biofilm accumulated in seawater. Additionally, the results from the field studies suggested that substrate modulus also affect the critical strain needed to debond biofilms. To sum up, both the laboratory and the field studies proved that dynamic surface deformation approach can effectively detach various biofilms and barnacles, and therefore offers a non-toxic and environmental friendly approach for biofouling management.</p><p>Deformable elastomer systems used in our studies are easy to fabricate and can be used as complementary approach for existing commercial strategies for biofouling control. To this end, we aimed towards developed proactive multifunctional surfaces and proposed two different approaches: (i) modification of elastomers with antifouling polymers to produce multifunctional, and (ii) incorporation of silicone-oil additives into the elastomer to enhance fouling-release performance.</p><p>In approach (i), we modified poly(vinylmethylsiloxane) elastomer surfaces with zwitterionic polymers using thiol-ene click chemistry and controlled free radical polymerization. These surfaces exhibited both fouling resistance and triggered fouling-release functionalities. The zwitterionic polymers exhibited fouling resistance over short-term (∼hours) exposure to bacteria and barnacle cyprids. The biofilms that eventually accumulated over prolonged-exposure (∼days) were easily detached by applying mechanical strain to the elastomer substrate. In approach (ii), we incorporated silicone-oil additives in deformable elastomer and studied synergistic effect of silicone-oils and surface strain on barnacle detachment. We hypothesized that incorporation of silicone-oil additive reduces the amount of surface strain needed to detach barnacles. Our experimental results supported the above hypothesis and suggested that surface-action of silicone-oils plays a major role in decreasing the strain needed to detach barnacles. Further, we also examined the effect of change in substrate modulus and showed that stiffer substrates require lower amount of strain to detach barnacles.</p><p>In summary, this study shows that (1) dynamic surface deformation can be used as an effective, environmental friendly approach for biofouling control (2) stretchable elastomer surfaces modified with anti-fouling polymers provides a pro-active, dual-mode approach for biofouling control, and (3) incorporation of silicone-oils additives into stretchable elastomers improves the fouling-release performance of dynamic surface deformation technology. Dynamic surface deformation by itself and as a supplementary approach can be utilized biofouling management in biomedical, industrial and marine applications.</p> / Dissertation

Os adesivos são produtos capazes de manter materiais unidos, mediante ligações entre as superfícies. Selantes são produtos capazes de manter preenchido um espaço entre duas superfícies, por meio de uma barreira que se configura como uma ponte entre as duas superfícies. O mastic é um produto obtido por uma mistura de substâncias tendo como principal polímero o butil, com consistência de uma massa não secativa que pode ser utilizada como selante. Os polisiloxanos, também conhecidos como silicones são os mais importantes polímeros sintéticos com estrutura inorgânica, e são matrizes dos adesivos selantes de silicone. Para comprovar como o comportamento das forças de adesão destes produtos acontece, foram utilizadas cinco técnicas diferenciadas. Estes produtos foram submetidos a duas condições distintas para verificar o comportamento da adesão, um em condições ambiente e outro sob influência de radiação ionizante. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram não só a diferença entre produtos (silicone e mastic), mas também que as forças de adesão têm comportamentos diferentes nas condições às quais foram submetidas às amostras. Com isto atingi-se o objetivo desse estudo que é apresentar a diferenciação entre o mastic e o silicone, muitas vezes considerados como um só produto denominado mastic. Desta forma comprova-se que: 1. o silicone pode ser considerado um adesivo selante em condições ambientes, 2. o mastic melhora consideravelmente sua adesão, quando submetido à radiação ionizante, e esta característica de adesão pode ser uma excelente alternativa para o mercado de adesivos. / Adhesives are products that can keep materials together by bonds between the surfaces. Sealants are products that can keep filled a space between two surfaces, through a barrier that is configured as a \"bridge\" between the two surfaces. The mastic is a product made of a mixture of substances with the primary butyl polymer, with the consistency of a mass not dried that can be used as a sealant. The polysiloxane, also known as silicone are the most important synthetic polymers with inorganic structure, and are matrices of silicone adhesive sealants. To demonstrate the behavior of the adhesive forces of these products under different conditions, we used five different techniques. These products were subjected to two different conditions to verify the behavior of adhesion, one at the environmental condition and another under the ionizing radiation. The results showed not only differences between products (silicone and mastic), but also that the adhesive forces have different behaviors under the conditions which the samples were subjected. With this was reached the goal of this study that aspired show the differences between the mastic and silicone, this last one is often considered - erroneously - the same as mastic. Thus it was proven that: 1. silicone can be regarded as an adhesive and a sealant at ambient conditions, 2. mastic improves substantially adhesion in an environment of ionizing radiation and this property can be an excellent alternative to the adhesive market.

A ocorrência da redução biológica do sulfato resulta na formação de um produto indesejado, o sulfeto de hidrogênio, que pode ser removido sob condições limitadas de oxigênio. Os fatores que podem afetar a oxidação do sulfeto não estão bem elucidados e o processo de microaeração é pouco utilizado devido a limitações tecnológicas. Desta forma a oxidação química e bioquímica do sulfeto foi estudada em duas configurações de reatores que utilizam membrana polimérica porosa (membrana de silicone) como alternativa para microaeração. As configurações apresentam duas formas de microaeração, por pressão interna (Reator de membrana Submersa-RMS) e outra externa (Reator de Membrana Externa-RME) com aeração por troca atmosférica. Foram realizados ensaios de transferência de massa para determinação do coeficiente volumétrico global de transferência (KLa). Os resultados médios obtidos para o KLa foram de 0,10 h-1 para o RMS e 0,154 h-1 para o RME, confirmando a microaeração do meio. Os reatores foram operados a fim de avaliar a oxidação do sulfeto a enxofre elementar por via química e bioquímica em diferentes faixas de pH, pressão (para o RMS) e velocidade no interior da membrana (para o RME) por meio de planejamento fatorial. A oxidação química apresentou alta conversão do sulfeto a enxofre com percentual médio de 91,3% no RMS e 79,2% no RME e percentual médio de conversão a sulfato de 2,3% no RMS e 15,7% no RME. A oxidação bioquímica no RME apresentou valores médios de conversão de sulfeto a enxofre de 41,6% e de 52,8% para a conversão a sulfato. A oxidação de efluente de reator sulfetogênico também foi avaliada atingiu valores médios de 48,7% para a conversão a enxofre elementar 46,7% para a conversão de sulfeto a sulfato. O estudo das variáveis demonstrou que a variável que influenciou a oxidação foi o pH. A configuraçõa RMS apresentou problemas operacionais inviabilizando seu uso. O uso de membranas apresentou viabilidade de controle da microaeração através das variáveis operacionais, raio e espessura da membrana. Desta forma, devido à viabilidade operacional e os resultados obtidos, as configurações se mostraram uma alternativa viável a conversão do sulfeto a enxofre elementar. / The occurrence of biological sulfate reduction results in the formation of unwanted hydrogen sulfide, which can be removal under oxygen-limiting conditions. Detailed knowledge of this process remains unclear and the micro aeration process was prevented by technological limitations. For these reasons, the chemical and biological oxidation of sulfide was studied in two configurations of reactors using porous polymer membrane (silicon membrane) as an alternative to micro aeration. The configurations present two forms of micro-aeration by internal pressure (Submerged Membrane Reactor- SMR) and an external one (External Membrane Reactor EMR) with aeration by air exchange. The micro aeration was evaluated through the global oxygen mass transfer coefficient (KLa). The average results obtained for KLa were 0.10 h-1 for SMR and 0.154 h-1 for EMR, confirming the micro aeration. The settings were operated to evaluate the chemical and biochemical oxidation of sulfide to elemental sulfur by different variables: pH, pressure (for SMR) and flow/membrane area (for EMR) through factorial design. The chemical oxidation showed high sulfide conversion to sulfur, with mean value of 91.3% in SMR and 79.2% in EMR and conversion to sulfate of 2.3% in SMR and 15.7% in EMR. The biochemical oxidation in EMR showed mean values of sulfide conversion to sulfur of 41.6% and 52.8% for sulfate. The oxidation of sulfidogenic reactor effluent was evaluated and obtained mean values of 48.7% for conversion to elemental sulfur and 46.7% to sulfate. The variable studies showed that the variable pH is significantly for sulfide oxidation. The SMR presented operational problems invalidating their use. The use of membranes, showed a high viability due to its ability to micro aeration especially because of the operating variables, radius and membrane thickness. In general the reactors were efficient due the low sulfate yields. Thus the reactors proved are viable settings to the conversion of sulfide to elemental sulfur.

Neste trabalho são apresentados os resultados da caracterização dosimétrica de dois diodos especiais de silício, resistentes a danos de radiação, crescidos pelo método epitaxial com vistas a sua aplicação na monitoração em tempo real de feixes de fótons de qualidades de radiodiagnóstico convencional, mamografia e tomografia computadorizada, no intervalo de tensão de 28 kV a 150 kV. Os dispositivos utilizados, um submetido à pré-dose de 200 kGy de raios gama do 60Co no Centro de Tecnologia das Radiações (CTR) do IPENCNEN/ SP, e outro sem qualquer irradiação prévia, foram processados na Universidade de Hamburgo a partir de uma camada epitaxial com 50 &mu;m de espessura. Apenas para comparação, um diodo de Si crescido por fusão zonal padrão foi também estudado. As irradiações foram realizadas no Laboratório de Calibração de Instrumentos (LCI) do IPEN/CNEN-SP, onde está instalado um gerador de radiação X, Pantak-Seifert, Isovolt 160 HS, cujas qualidades de radiação foram verificadas por câmaras de ionização padronizadas. Os diodos foram ligados a um eletrômetro Keithley 6517B em modo fotovoltaico, com a distância do ponto focal do gerador aos diodos mantida em 1 m. Os principais parâmetros dosimétricos das amostras foram avaliados de acordo com a norma IEC61674. Os coeficientes de calibração dos diodos em termos do kerma no ar também foram determinados. Os diodos apresentaram excelente estabilidade de resposta em curto prazo para as qualidades estudadas, com coeficientes de variação em corrente equivalentes e não superiores a 0,3%. O comportamento das fotocorrentes em função da taxa de dose foi linear para os três dispositivos no intervalo de 0,8 a 77,2 mGy/min. As curvas carga-dose obtidas pela integração dos sinais de corrente tornaram evidente a ausência de dependência energética para feixes de mamografia e de radiodiagnóstico até 70 kV. O diodo epitaxial sem pré-dose apresentou maior sensibilidade em corrente e em carga em relação aos demais, com queda neste parâmetro de 8% após receber dose acumulada de 49 Gy. Até este limite de dose, as correntes de fuga dos dispositivos mantiveram-se estáveis em cerca de 0,4 pA ao longo das irradiações, sendo menores por um fator até 104 em relação às correntes em condição de irradiação. A variação da resposta direcional de ambos diodos para o intervalo de ± 5° foi inferior a 0,1 % e seus coeficientes de calibração para os feixes estudados foram determinados a partir dos padrões de referência do LCI. As alterações das características elétricas das amostras em função de danos de radiação foram também estudadas e não revelaram alteração significativa para tensão de polarização nula. Com base nos resultados obtidos até o presente e considerando as recomendações da norma IEC 61674, pode-se afirmar que diodos epitaxiais sem pré-dose e com pré-dose podem ser empregados de forma confiável na dosimetria de feixes de radiação eletromagnética para imagens médicas até o limite de dose acumulada de 10 Gy e acima de 206 kGy, respectivamente. / In this work we report on results obtained with two rad-hard epitaxial (EPI) silicon diodes as on-line dosimeter for diagnostic radiology, mammography and computed tomography, in the 28 kV to 150 kV range. The epitaxial diodes used were processed at University of Hamburg on 50 &mu;m thick epitaxial silicon layer. One sample was not irradiated before using as a dosimeter, while the other received a gamma pre-dose of 200 kGy from 60Co. For comparison, a standard float zone silicon diode was also studied. The samples irradiation was performed using X-ray beams from a Pantak/Seifert generator, model Isovolt 160 HS, previously calibrated with standardized ionization chambers, located at Laboratório de Calibração de Instrumentos of IPEN-CNEN/SP. The diode was connected to an electrometer Keithley 6517B in the photovoltaic mode. Irradiations were carried out with the diodes positioned at 1m from the X-ray tube (focal spot). The main dosimetric parameters of the EPI samples were evaluated in according to IEC 61674 norm. The calibration coefficients of the diode, in terms of air kerma, were also determined. The repeatability was measured with photon beams of all qualities. The current signals induced showed the diodes are stable, characterized by coefficients of variation less than 0.3%. The current response of the unirradiated EPI diode has been shown to be very linear with dose-rate in the range of 0.8 up to 77.2 mGy/min. A linear relation between charge and dose in the whole energy range was observed for the three samples. It is important to notice that for EPI diodes non energy dependence was observed for mammography beams and until 70kV for radiodiagnostic qualities. The unirradiated diode presented sensitivity higher than the others, showing a decrease of 8% in this parameter after accumulated dose of 49.15 Gy. The dark currents were stable about 0.4 pA during the irradiations, value 104 higher than the lowest photocurrents measured. The directional response of both diodes was 0.1% within an angle range of ± 5°. Based on these results, one can conclude that the unirradiated and pre-irradiated EPI diodes can be used as a reliable alternative choice to relative medical imaging photon dosimetry within 10 Gy and 206 kGy of accumulated dose, respectively.