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Combined AFM-SEM for mechanical testing of fibrous biological materials

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2011

Fei Hang ,
Dun Lu  and
Asa H Barber
Fei Hang
Affiliation:
f.hang@qmul.ac.uk, Queen Mary University of London, Centre for Materials Research & School of Engineering and Materials Science, London, United Kingdom
Dun Lu
Affiliation:
d.lu@qmul.ac.uk, Queen Mary University of London, Centre for Materials Research & School of Engineering and Materials Science, London, United Kingdom
Asa H Barber
Affiliation:
a.h.barber@qmul.ac.uk, Queen Mary University of London, Centre for Materials Research & School of Engineering and Materials Science, London, United Kingdom
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Abstract

A technique combining both atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is used to evaluate the mechanical properties of individual collagen fibrils from the fractured surface of antler. SEM is used to locate individual mineralized collagen fibrils and allow visualization of the attachment of these fibrils to the end of an AFM probe. Tensile testing of individual collagen fibril to failure was performed using the AFM with resultant stress-strain curves obtained. Tensile strengths of up to 0.18GPa are found for some individual collagen fibrils, indicating the presence of mineral in improving mechanical performance. Consideration of the SEM operating parameters indicates that the amount of time the sample is within the SEM vacuum can affect the resultant mechanical behavior of individual fibrils.

Keywords

bonenanoscalescanning probe microscopy (SPM)
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1187: Symposium KK – Structure-Property Relationships in Biomineralized and Biomimetic Composites , 2009 , 1187-KK06-06
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2009

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