Figure 2. Mechanical and rheological properties of hybrid hydrogels composed of GelMA (20% w/v) and varying concentrations of AlgMA.

(a) Images of the hybrid hydrogels containing 0% and 2% (w/v) AlgMA undergoing stretching. (b) Representative tensile stress-strain curves, (c) tensile strain at break, (d) Young’s modulus, (e) tensile strength, and (f) toughness for the hybrid hydrogels containing varying concentrations of AlgMA. (g) Images of the hybrid hydrogels undergoing compression, and (h) representative compressive stress-strain curves, (i) compressive strength, (j) compressive modulus, (k) cyclic compressive stress-strain curves, and (l) energy loss for the hybrid hydrogels. The (m) storage modulus, (n) loss modulus, and (o) loss factor at angular frequency = 1 rad s⁻¹ and strain = 0.1% for the hybrid hydrogels. Data are reported as the mean values of at least 5 experiments ± their standard deviation. The statistical analysis was done according to the methods explained in “Statistical analysis” section. Asterisks show the results that are statically significant with p-values < 0.05 (*), 0.01 (**), 0.001 (***), or 0.0001 (****).