2.4. Characterization of Scaffold Mechanical Properties

The mechanical properties of the scaffolds were evaluated by measuring the scaffold stiffness (E) and scaffold yield strength (σ_y). The mechanical properties assessment was performed in dry state of the scaffolds under ambient conditions at 20 °C. All compression tests were carried out using prismatic scaffolds (30 × 30 × 2.4 mm³) at the rate of 0.5 mm/min with an Instron^® universal test bench, with a load cell of 5 kN (Instron Model 3300, Nordwood, MA, USA). The apparent stress was estimated based on the total projected area the prismatic scaffold. The strain was determined as the ratio between the scaffold height variation and the scaffold initial height.