Abstract:
Double-network hydrogels of different chemical
compositions have been developed in recent years for specific
load-bearing applications such as tissue engineering, soft robots,
and stretchable electronics. The broader commercial
applications of these hydrogels have been limited by high
manufacturing cost and complex synthesis processes. Single
network hydrogels have a potential advantage when compared
to the complexity and cost of synthesis processes, although their
performance and limitations under different loading conditions
have not been investigated thoroughly. This paper presents the
limitations of single network polyacrylamide based hydrogel on
compression fatigue, stress relaxation and creep properties.
Single network polyacrylamide hydrogel was selected as model
material due to simple processing and availability. The
optimized formulation of hydrogel was used for sample
preparation. Better pressure relieving property of hydrogel was
observed by stress relaxation and creep properties of the
hydrogel. Developed hydrogel displayed good fatigue properties
up to 13,000 loading cycle at maximum stress of 520±50 kPa and
200 mm/min crosshead speed.
