Figure 2.

Tensile test. Schematic representation of the tensile test. (a) Loading of hydrogel in the 1 mm gap between the pre-conditioned dentin disks and zero-point position. (b) Dentin discs were continuously separated at a 5 mm per minute rate. (c) Breaking point values were registered after hydrogel loss of integrity or detachment from dentine. (d) Dentin disc glued to a screw head before the tensile test, and (e) sample prepared at the zero-point position, and (f) tensile test ongoing. (g) The hydrogel sample still adhered to the dentin disc after reaching the break point in the tensile test. (h) Tensile test graphic results of control hydrogel and (i) HAPL. Each line represents the tensile stress (MPa) curve of one individual sample.