Effects of a Pseudophysiological Environment on the Elastic and Viscoelastic Properties of Collagen Gels

Figure 8

Relaxation times of ring-shaped collagen gels as a function of temperature (experiments performed either at 23°C or 37°C), hydration (either with or without a PBS solution), and mechanical preconditioning (either with or without mechanical preconditioning PC). 𝜏₁ and 𝜏₂ are the relaxation times of the gels considered in the viscoelastic model. Values are expressed as mean ± standard error. Significance: *𝑃<0.05; **𝑃<0.01; ***𝑃<0.001.