ABSTRACT
This study presents a composite material made out of a rubbery polymer matrix rein-forced by bundles of a highly crystalline polymeric fibre. The composite has a structure similar to parallel-fibred collagenous tissues, and it reproduces the typical nonlinear viscoelastic behaviour met in tendons and ligaments. To a certain extent, it even reproduces the same deformation mechanism responsible for the mechanical behaviour of those tissues. The polymers employed are biocompatible, so that the results can be of use in the design of tendon and ligamentous prosthesis.
