Abstract
A static mixer is a useful applicator for in situ cross-linkable hydrogels such as dental materials, hemostats, and tissue engineering scaffolds. The gelation of calcium alginate hydrogel containing carboxymethyl cellulose using a Kenics static mixer was carefully analyzed in terms of flow rate, the number of mixing elements, pressure drop, and homogeneity of the formed hydrogels as expressed by the coefficient of variance (COV). Pressure drop increased monotonically with Damkohler number (Da), defined as the ratio of the residence time in the mixer to the gelation time of hydrogels. Conversely, COVs reached maximum values with increasing Da and finally decreased for any number of elements. In addition, shear moduli of the formed hydrogels differed with COVs. These results suggest that it is helpful, when controlling the homogeneity and mechanical properties of hydrogels, to consider the balance between residence time in the mixer and the gelation time of the precursor polymer.
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