Fracture-healing kinetics of model gels were quantified at varying temperatures (20-28 °C) and polymer concentrations (5-6 vol %). By coupling shear rheometry and particle tracking flow visualization techniques, fracture experiments were conducted to probe the stress response and fracture characteristics of gels. Activation energies for healing and relaxation were calculated and showed varying dependence on concentrations. The time-scale differences between the energies were likely due to the length scale of deformation and energy barriers of chain pull-out versus chain reinsertion.
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