Fracture toughness design in horse hoof keratin.
Abstract: An engineering fracture mechanics approach was applied to the analysis of the fracture resistance of equine hoof-wall. The relationship between fracture toughness and the morphological organization of the keratin hoof tissue was investigated. Fracture toughness was evaluated using the J-integral analysis method which employs the compact tension test geometry. Tensile tests were also conducted to evaluate the effect of the morphological organization on the stress-strain behaviour. Hoof-wall has greatest fracture resistance for cracks running proximally, parallel to the tubular component of the wall keratin. For fully hydrated material tested in this direction the mean critical J-integral value at failure was 1.19 X 10(4)J m-2. This was nearly three times greater than the value determined for the weakest orientation, in which the crack ran parallel to the material between the tubules. The lower fracture toughness of the intertubular material dominates the fracture behaviour of this tissue. The tubular components of the wall appear to reinforce against fracture along the weak plane and the entire wall organization provides the mechanical capability for limiting and controlling fracture in this tissue.
Publication Date: 1986-09-01 PubMed ID: 2428912DOI: 10.1242/jeb.125.1.29Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The study applies engineering fracture mechanics to analyze the fracture resistance of horse hoof walls, specifically the relationship between fracture toughness and the structure of the keratin hoof tissue. The study found that the hoof wall has the highest fracture resistance when cracks run parallel to the tubular component of the keratin.
Methodology
- The researchers used the J-integral analysis method to evaluate fracture toughness. This method employs the compact tension test geometry. The J-integral analysis method is an energy rate line integral, used widely in evaluating the formation and expansion of cracks in materials under stress.
- They conducted tensile tests to evaluate the effect of the morphological, or structural, organization of the keratin on its stress-strain behavior. Tensile testing is a fundamental material science test in which a sample is subjected to a controlled tension until failure.
Findings
- The study found that the horse hoof wall exhibits the highest level of fracture resistance when cracks run proximally (close to the center of the body) and parallel to its tubular keratin component. The average critical J-integral value at failure for fully hydrated material tested in this direction was 1.19 X 10(4)J m-2.
- This value was almost three times higher than when the fracture line ran parallel to the material between the tubules, which represented the weakest orientation.
- Therefore, the research concluded that the lower fracture toughness of the intertubular (between tubules) material predominately influences the fracture behavior of the equine hoof tissue.
- The tubular components of the wall play a role in reinforcing against fractures along the weak plane. These tubular components, in line with the entire wall’s organization, provides the mechanical ability to limit and control fractures in hoof tissue.
Implications
- This study provides insights into the fracture mechanics of horse hooves, which could have implications for horse health and care.
- The findings could help scientists develop better strategies for preventing or treating hoof-related injuries in horses.
- The study could also be useful in the field of material science, particularly in understanding the fracture mechanics of keratin, a crucial protein found in hair, nails, and hooves of many animals.
Cite This Article
APA
Bertram JE, Gosline JM.
(1986).
Fracture toughness design in horse hoof keratin.
J Exp Biol, 125, 29-47.
https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.125.1.29 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Hoof and Claw / physiology
- Horses
- Keratins / physiology
- Models, Anatomic
- Stress, Mechanical
- Tensile Strength
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Islam MK, Hazell PJ, Wang H, Escobedo JP, Chowdhury H. Quasi-Static and Low-Velocity Impact Response of 3D Printed Plates Using Bio-Inspired Tool Paths. Biomimetics (Basel) 2025 Feb 24;10(3).
- Gupta S, Moini R. Tough Cortical Bone-Inspired Tubular Architected Cement-Based Material with Disorder. Adv Mater 2024 Dec;36(52):e2313904.
- Lazarus BS, Chadha C, Velasco-Hogan A, Barbosa JDV, Jasiuk I, Meyers MA. Engineering with keratin: A functional material and a source of bioinspiration. iScience 2021 Aug 20;24(8):102798.
- Lesimple C. Indicators of Horse Welfare: State-of-the-Art. Animals (Basel) 2020 Feb 13;10(2).
- Werth AJ, Harriss RW, Rosario MV, George JC, Sformo TL. Hydration affects the physical and mechanical properties of baleen tissue. R Soc Open Sci 2016 Oct;3(10):160591.
- Greenberg DA, Fudge DS. Regulation of hard α-keratin mechanics via control of intermediate filament hydration: matrix squeeze revisited. Proc Biol Sci 2013 Jan 7;280(1750):20122158.
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