Physical characterization of microporous poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) gels.

Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-(PHEMA) has been prepared by polymerizing in presence of different types of water-soluble additives, at various amounts, which were removed by swelling in water. Mechanical properties of swollen samples have been measured and analyzed by using the classical theory of rubber elasticity. Water permeability measurements were also performed to detect the presence of micropores and to determine the type of water transport. It has been shown that it's possible, using different types and amounts of additives, to obtain a wide range of physical properties of swollen PHEMA as required for various biomedical applications.