A mechanical relation model for biaxial tension of nanofibrous membrane

It is important to evaluate the mechanical biocompatibility of nanofibrous membranes used in tissue engineering. This investigation proposed a modeling analysis to predict the biaxial behavior of randomly oriented nanofibrous membranes. An electrospinning process prepared poly(ε-caprolactone) nanofibers. The uniaxial stress–strain curve of a single nanofiber and the biaxial stress–strain curves of the membranes were experimentally obtained. The applicability of the analytical model was verified by the comparison between modeling prediction and experimental data. Experimental stress was lower than the predicted stress until large plastic deformation occurred because of structural imperfections, prestress, and the stretch-induced orientation in the membranes.