Hokkaido University scientists have developed ‘fibre-reinforced soft composites’, that are extremely flexible and five times stronger than carbon steel.
Credit : Hokkaido University
Hokkaido University scientists have developed ‘fibre-reinforced soft composites’, otherwise known as reinforced hydrogels, that are extremely flexible and five times stronger than carbon steel in terms of the energy required to destroy them. The team made the super tough hydrogel by immersing glass fibre fabric in hydrogel precursor solution.
Credit : Huang Y. et al., Advanced Functional Materials
They theorize that toughness is increased by dynamic ionic bonds between the glass fibre and hydrogels, and within the hydrogel itself. The reinforced hydrogel could have a wide range of applications in areas where materials are subject to strong load-bearing tensions such as fashion, manufacturing, and artificial ligaments and tendons. The principles used here could be applied to strengthen other soft materials such as rubber.
