Assessment of the Homogeneity of Polymeric Materials Using Hounsfield Units

Abstract

Abstract The X-ray transparency of various polymers and plastics is one of the most important factors in the choice of material in the design of new medical robotic and mechatronic systems and complexes. Along with the radiolucency, such a parameter as material inhomogeneity is also one of the main ones. The inhomogeneity of the material can not only affect the radiolucency of individual areas of the product but also impose restrictions on the use of polymeric materials by changing the physical and mechanical properties of the products. In this work, a technique was proposed for determining the location of regions of interest with reliable values on a CT image. Data were obtained for the values of the parameter HU and standard deviation for various polymer materials. A technique was proposed for determining the degree of heterogeneity of polymeric materials. The values of the degree of heterogeneity were obtained for all investigated materials.