Chapter 2 An overview of the mechanical behavior of hydrogels
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Laiba Maryam
Abstract
This chapter is intended to explain the versatile and compelling properties of hydrogels with a deep insight into their mechanical behavior. Hydrogels being polymeric in nature are the “smart materials” having properties like swelling, inhomogeneity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, stimuli responsiveness, pH and temperature sensitivity, and especially mechanical properties. Due to these inherent properties, hydrogels find applications in many fields such as medicine, drug delivery, energy storage, water sustainability, sensing applications, and electrochemical devices. Mechanically they can be tested on different scales, both at the macroscale and microscale. Indentation testing is a multiscale method used to measure the mechanical strength of hydrogels and can be categorized as microindentation or nanoindentation. The mechanical behavior of hydrogels is extensively discussed by focusing on the properties that impart mechanical strength. These properties include swelling-deswelling behavior (which is due to the absorption of water), rubber elasticity, viscoelasticity, creep behavior, hyperelasticity, and self-healing properties to repair cracks and fractures in 3D networks. All the factors that affect the mechanical strength of hydrogels are also discussed.
Abstract
This chapter is intended to explain the versatile and compelling properties of hydrogels with a deep insight into their mechanical behavior. Hydrogels being polymeric in nature are the “smart materials” having properties like swelling, inhomogeneity, biocompatibility, biodegradability, stimuli responsiveness, pH and temperature sensitivity, and especially mechanical properties. Due to these inherent properties, hydrogels find applications in many fields such as medicine, drug delivery, energy storage, water sustainability, sensing applications, and electrochemical devices. Mechanically they can be tested on different scales, both at the macroscale and microscale. Indentation testing is a multiscale method used to measure the mechanical strength of hydrogels and can be categorized as microindentation or nanoindentation. The mechanical behavior of hydrogels is extensively discussed by focusing on the properties that impart mechanical strength. These properties include swelling-deswelling behavior (which is due to the absorption of water), rubber elasticity, viscoelasticity, creep behavior, hyperelasticity, and self-healing properties to repair cracks and fractures in 3D networks. All the factors that affect the mechanical strength of hydrogels are also discussed.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Preface V
- Contents VII
- List of contributors IX
- Chapter 1 Miscellaneous applications of hydrogels 1
- Chapter 2 An overview of the mechanical behavior of hydrogels 17
- Chapter 3 Nanoengineering hydrogels with improved antimicrobial characteristics 35
- Chapter 4 Stimulus-responsive hydrogel for tissue engineering 49
- Chapter 5 Hydrogel in wound dressing and burn dressing products with antibacterial potential 67
- Chapter 6 Emerging fabrication strategies of hydrogel and its use as a drug delivery vehicle 79
- Chapter 7 Hydrogels for personal care products 103
- Chapter 8 Hydrogels for kidney carcinoma 119
- Index 133
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Preface V
- Contents VII
- List of contributors IX
- Chapter 1 Miscellaneous applications of hydrogels 1
- Chapter 2 An overview of the mechanical behavior of hydrogels 17
- Chapter 3 Nanoengineering hydrogels with improved antimicrobial characteristics 35
- Chapter 4 Stimulus-responsive hydrogel for tissue engineering 49
- Chapter 5 Hydrogel in wound dressing and burn dressing products with antibacterial potential 67
- Chapter 6 Emerging fabrication strategies of hydrogel and its use as a drug delivery vehicle 79
- Chapter 7 Hydrogels for personal care products 103
- Chapter 8 Hydrogels for kidney carcinoma 119
- Index 133
