Measurement of the Modulus and Yield Strength of Soft Gels: Experiments and Numerical Simulation

Karen Goodrich, Ann Yoshimura, Robert K. Prud'homme

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

An apparatus is described which permits the measurement of the modulus and yield strength of gels. The device consists of a cylindrical cell with internal fins to prevent slip of the gel at the cell walls. Pressure is applied to the cell and the volume of displaced gel is measured. A numerical finite-element simulation of gel deformation yields a proportionality constant relating pressure and displaced volume. The simulation has been run for a wide range of geometries. Model polyacrylamide gels were made having moduli from 1,500 to 9,620 Pa as measured by a rheometer. The moduli values calculated from the test cell data using the finite-element simulation were on average 6.1% lower than the values measured by the rheometer. The adaptation of the cell to measuring gel properties at elevated temperatures and pressures is discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)317-327
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Rheology
Volume33
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1989

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

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