Fabrication and characterization of epoxy resin-added Rhizophora spp . particleboards as phantom materials for computer tomography (CT) applications

This study aims to evaluate the average density, mechanical stability, and the suitability of Rhizophora spp. particleboard bonded with epoxy resin as tissue-equivalent phantom materials. The particleboards were fabricated with added epoxy at levels of 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%. CT scan was used to evaluate the epoxy distribution. The sample with 15% epoxy level complied with the Japanese Industrial Standards. Moreover, the crystallinity was measured by microscopic analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results showed that the values of mass density and effective atomic number of the studied samples were well agreed and close to the value of water. Both microscopic analysis and XRD results showed the utility of epoxy in filling up the gaps and increasing the crystallinity. In addition, the standard deviation (SD) value of fabricated particleboard bonded with 15% epoxy resin provided a good matching with the SD value of Catphan 600 phantom. Furthermore, 15% of epoxy, as a binder material, was considered the best percentage to achieve high performance and to enhance the mechanical stability of Rhizophora particleboards. In conclusion, epoxy resin improves the mechanical and physical properties of Rhizophora spp. particleboards to be performed as a phantom material.