FIG. 1.
Mechanical behavior and design of viscoelastic biomaterials. (A) Stress relaxation test is performed to determine the decrease in stress in a material in response to constant strain. The half-stress relaxation time (τ1/2), defined as the time taken for relaxing half of the initial stress value generated under a constant deformation. The viscoelasticity of biomaterials can be regulated by (B) the types and strength of the bonds cross-linking the matrix, and (C) molecular weight of the polymer.