A coupled viscoelastic-damage model for rate-dependent noncovalent hydrogel adhesion under lap shear: Theory and experiments

Key Points

• Hydrogel adhesion under lap shear exhibits rate-dependent behavior, enhancing performance.
• The coupled viscoelastic-damage model provides valuable insights into adhesion properties with controlled experiments.
• Assessment using theoretical analysis and practical experimentation measures both adhesion strength and failure modes.
• This model can inform the development of advanced adhesive materials, though additional testing is needed for validation.