How gel architecture controls ductility and dissipation in single and double network gels.

We study yielding and hysteresis in single and double network gel models. To this end, we perform mechanical tests and analyze the hysteresis under large shear deformation, strain localization, and subsequent failure or yielding [1,2,3]. In our simulations, the microscopic underpinnings can be identified in the different degrees of non-affine motion and local stresses, which can have significant implications for ductility, and brittleness of the gels. We find that the hysteretic behavior qualitatively changes from a single network gel to a double network one, even when all is kept the same and only interspecies interactions are changed. We also find that the specific double network architecture dramatically affects the ductility and brittleness. We discuss the possible implications for constitutive models and in light of recent experiments.