Poroelasticity of highly confined hydrogel films measured with a surface forces apparatus.

Degen, George D; Chen, Yen-Tsung; Chau, Allison L; Månsson, Lisa K; Pitenis, Angela A · Soft Matter · 2020

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The influence of poroelasticity on the contact mechanics of thin polyacrylamide films was investigated with a surface forces apparatus (SFA). A model based on a thin film approximation described compression forces for hydrated gels; polymer scaling theory explained the effects of gel dehydration. The results demonstrate that fluid flow dictates the apparent stiffness of highly confined poroelastic films.