Unveiling the evolving fracture toughness: The R-curve phenomenon in double network hydrogels

Key Points

• Fracture toughness of double network hydrogels increases with the R-curve phenomenon, enhancing their durability.
• Key evidence shows a notable improvement in mechanical properties across various strain rates measured in experiments.
• Analysis across diverse strain conditions highlights the significance of deformation mechanisms in understanding toughness.
• Understanding these mechanical properties may enable the development of more resilient soft materials in various applications.