Fracture of polymer gels

Experimental results of fracture of polyacrylic gels are presented for diff erent amounts of polymer and cross-link agent. A simple qualitative analysi s permits to interpret the main features of the fracture. The fracture stre ss as a function of the amount of cross-link molecules exhibits a maximum a nd the elongation at fracture is proportional to the inverse of the square root of the amount of cross-link molecules. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.