Article Composite Material of PDMS with Interchangeable Transmittance: Study of Optical, Mechanical Properties and Wettability Flaminio Sales 1,†, Andrews Souza 1,†, Ronaldo Ariati 1,†, Verônica Noronha 1,†, Elder Giovanetti 1, Rui Lima 2 and João Ribeiro 1,3,* 1 ESTiG, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, 5300-252 Bragança, Portugal;
[email protected] (F.S.);
[email protected] (A.S.);
[email protected] (R.A.);
[email protected] (V.N.);
[email protected] (E.G.) 2 MEtRICs, Mechanical Engineering Department, Campus de Azurém, University of Minho, 4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal;
[email protected] 3 CIMO, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, 5300-252 Bragança, Portugal * Correspondence:
[email protected] † These authors contributed equally to this work. Abstract: 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 Citation: Sales, F.; Souza, A.; Ariati, the most promising modifications, which consists of the development of an interchangeable coating, R.; Noronha, V.; Giovanetti, E.; Lima, capable of changing its optical characteristics according to some stimuli, has been underexplored. R.; Ribeiro, J. Composite Material of Thus, we report an experimental study of the mechanical and optical properties and wettability PDMS with Interchangeable of pure PDMS and of two PDMS composites with the addition of 1% paraffin or beeswax using a Transmittance: Study of Optical, Mechanical Properties and gravity casting process.