Analysis of linear elastic properties of gel membranes constrained on a substrate

Abstract

In this study, we investigate the linear elastic properties of gel membranes constrained on a rigid substrate. To this end, the Flory–Rehner framework for polymeric gels is considered, which is extended by introducing an extended Gent model. The linear perturbation analysis demonstrates the dependence of limiting chain extensibility and the second strain invariant on the in-plane stiffness of gel membranes constrained on a rigid substrate.