Relationship between Viscoelastic Properties and Water Contents of Materials Evaluated Using Indentation Tests

Abstract

Abstract: In this study, we developed an indentation test device and conducted experiments on gelatin samples with different water contents, assuming normal and degenerated articular cartilage states. From the experimental results, the viscoelastic parameters were quantitatively identified, and the correlation between the water content and viscoelastic parameters was investigated. Consequently, the viscoelastic parameters were noted to be significantly correlated with the water content. A limitation of this study is the lack of experimental data on the actual articular cartilage. However, the experimental method used in this study can be applied to indentation tests of the articular cartilage with some techniques. The degenerative state which caused by the change of water content of the articular cartilage can be quantitatively evaluated using an indentation test.