@article{article_1015110, title={Mechanical and Tribological Analysis of Polyacrylamide/Alginate Hybrid Hydrogels for Potential Cartilage Treatment}, journal={Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi Fen Ve Mühendislik Bilimleri Dergisi}, volume={22}, pages={252–261}, year={2022}, DOI={10.35414/akufemubid.1015110}, author={Kanca, Yusuf and Avcıoğlu, Emir and Hopkins, Lynne and Bilge, Ercan}, keywords={Polyacrylamide, Alginate, Cartilage treatment, Tribology, Compressive behaviour}, abstract={In this study, polyacrylamide/alginate (PAAm/Alg) based hydrogels have been synthesized and investigated. The four different hydrogels produced contained different concentrations of single- or double- network polymer: 15 wt.% single-network (SN-15), 30 wt.% single-network (SN-30), 15 wt.% double-network (DN-15), and 30 wt.% double-network (DN-30). The tribological performance of these synthesized hydrogels was investigated by using a custom pin-on-disc tribometer in phosphate buffered saline (PBS), where samples were reciprocated against a CoCrMo femoral head under an applied load of 5 or 10 N, at an average sliding speed of 20 mms-1, and body temperature (37±1 °C). The compressive tangent modulus was also determined by compressing samples at a strain rate of 1 min-1, while submerged in PBS, at both ambient and body temperatures. The results showed that a higher polymer concentration or a double-network type of structure led to improved friction (lower friction co-efficient) and wear (lower wear track area) properties. Samples also performed better when a lower applied load used. Sample DN-30 exhibited the highest compressive modulus. These outcomes have contributed to the understanding of the mechanical and tribological performance of PAAm/Alg blend hydrogels when performing under certain physiological conditions.}, number={1}, publisher={Afyon Kocatepe University}