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Parallel Fibres Control Fracture in Biological Systems

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 February 2011

Julian F. V. Vincent
Julian F. V. Vincent*
Affiliation:
Biomechanics Group, Departments of Zoology & Engineering, The University, Whiteknights Park, PO Box 228, Reading, RG6 2AJ, U.K.
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Abstract

Grass and horn keratin are presented as examples of biological materials which are notch-insensitive due to the presence of strong and stiff parallel fibres in a weaker more compliant matrix. A simple Voigt model is adequate to account for most of these properties. The biological significance of this morphology is explored: with grasses it affects the way animals graze, with horn keratin the behaviour of the horned animal maximises fracture control.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 218: Symposium V – Materials Synthesis Based on Biological Processes , 1990 , 221
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1991

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References

REFERENCES

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