Hyperelasticity

Hyperelasticity describes how certain materials, like rubber or soft polymers, can undergo large deformations and return to their original shape without permanent damage. Unlike typical materials that stretch and then weaken, hyperelastic materials store energy when stretched and release it when released, acting like flexible but resilient substances. Their behavior is modeled using specific mathematical equations that relate the stretch to the stress experienced. This property is important in applications such as medical devices, seals, and flexible electronics, where materials need to stretch extensively yet recover completely without losing strength.