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Nano-Mechanical Investigation of the Byssal Cuticle, a Protective Coating of a Bio-Elastomer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Niels Holten-Andersen ,
Nelle Slack ,
Frank Zok  and
J. Herbert Waite
Niels Holten-Andersen
Affiliation:
Biomolecular Science & Engineering, University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
Nelle Slack
Affiliation:
Materials Department, University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
Frank Zok
Affiliation:
Materials Department, University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
J. Herbert Waite
Affiliation:
Biomolecular Science & Engineering, University of California at Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
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Abstract

The mechanical properties of the mussel byssal thread have been investigated via nano-indentation, with the emphasis on the differences between the cuticle and the fibrous interior. The cuticle hardness was found to be 30–40% higher than that of the underlying fibrous interior. In contrast, the Young's moduli in the two regions were virtually identical to one another. Elemental analysis via energy dispersive spectroscopy indicated surprisingly high levels of Al and Br in the cuticle considering the low amounts found in seawater. A potential role of Al in byssal thread mechanics is discussed in light of the unique capability of the cuticle to accommodate strains of 70% by the underlying fibrils in the core without delamination.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 841: Symposium R – Fundamentals of Nanoindentation and Nanotribology III , 2004 , R3.7/Y3.7
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2005

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References

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