Polymer gels are used in a variety of applications that are limited by the fracture behavior of these materials. A collaboration between the Northwestern University MRSEC and a group at the University of Paris was formed to study the rate-dependent fracture of a set of model, self-assembling polymer gels. At low deformations (low crack velocities) the fracture path is unstable, giving a very rough crack surface. At high deformations (high crack velocities) the crack path is very straight, giving fracture surfaces with a mirror-like finish.
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