Silberschmidt_1-s2.0-S2452321616301664-main-1.pdf (778.49 kB)
Download fileFracture behaviour of bacterial cellulose hydrogel: Microstructural effect
conference contribution
posted on 26.01.2017, 11:04 authored by Xing Gao, Zhijun Shi, Changqing LiuChangqing Liu, Guang Yang, Vadim SilberschmidtVadim SilberschmidtA growing interest in fibrous biomaterials, especially hydrogels, is due to a fact that they promise a good potential in biomedical applications thanks to their attractive biological properties and similar microstructure that mimics its in vivo environment. Since they are usually employed as a main load-bearing-component when introduced into body environment, a comprehensive understanding of their application-relevant mechanical behaviour, such as deformation and fracture, as well as structure-function relationships is essential. To date, deformation behaviour and mechanisms of hydrogels were well documented; still, a lack of understanding of their fracture behaviour, especially structure-function relationships, could complicate an evaluation of their applicability. Hence, this work carried out four types of test – uniaxial tension, single-notch, double-notch and central-notch fracture testing – to investigate fracture behaviour of fully-hydrated and freeze-dried bacterial cellulose (BC) hydrogel. Our results support a significant role of interstitial water – free and bonded water – played in fracture behaviour of the studied BC hydrogel.
Funding
The authors would like to acknowledge the 7th European Community Framework Programme for financial support through a Marie Curie International Research Staff Exchange Scheme (IRSES) Project entitled “Micro-Multi-Material Manufacture to Enable Multifunctional Miniaturised Devices (M6)” (Grant No. PIRSES-GA-2010-269113). Additional support from China-European Union technology cooperation programme (Grant No. 1110) is also acknowledged.
History
School
- Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering