A Model of the Fracture of Double Network Gels

I propose a very simple model accounting for the very high toughness of double network gels based on the assumption that the first, stiff network will break up forming multiple cracks when the stress is above a defined value. These cracks are held together by the second network. A multiply cracked d...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inMacromolecules Vol. 40; no. 10; pp. 3815 - 3818
Main Author Brown, Hugh R
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Washington, DC American Chemical Society 15.05.2007
Subjects
Applied sciences
Exact sciences and technology
Organic polymers
Physicochemistry of polymers
Properties and characterization
Solution and gel properties
Colloidal gel
Theoretical study
Modeling
Interpenetrating polymer network
Rupture
Crack propagation
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:I propose a very simple model accounting for the very high toughness of double network gels based on the assumption that the first, stiff network will break up forming multiple cracks when the stress is above a defined value. These cracks are held together by the second network. A multiply cracked damage zone will form around any macroscopic crack in the material, causing energy dissipation and shielding the second network. The toughness enhancement by this process is estimated to be about ×40. The effect of cross-linking of the second network is discussed and explained.
ISSN:0024-9297
1520-5835
DOI:10.1021/ma062642y