Effect of Hydration on Tensile Response of a Dual Cross-linked PVA Hydrogel

• DOI: 10.1007/s11340-020-00598-1
• Publication Date: 2020-07-13T22:02:54Z
• Authors: R. Meacham; M. Liu; J. Guo; A.T. Zehnder; C.-Y. Hui
• Keywords: 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology

Little is known about the effect of water content on the mechanical properties of dual cross-linked hydrogels. To quantify the changes in the mechanical response and equilibrium modulus in a PVA hydrogel as a function of the hydration level. A dual cross-linked hydrogel was tested in tension to a stretch of 1.3 at two stretch rates and in a stress relaxation test. The equilibrium modulus was calculated using the final relaxation stress value. The stiffness of the hydrogel increases significantly as the gel dries. The equilibrium modulus is found to be linear with the hydration level and approximately 2 × stiffer at 60% hydration relative to 90%.