Nano-mechanical properties of individual mineralized collagen fibrils from bone tissue

J R Soc Interface. 2011 Apr 6;8(57):500-5. doi: 10.1098/rsif.2010.0413. Epub 2010 Oct 20.

Abstract

Mineralized collagen fibrils (MCFs) are distinct building blocks for bone material and perform an important mechanical function. A novel experimental technique using combined atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy is used to manipulate and measure the mechanical properties of individual MCFs from antler, which is a representative bone tissue. The recorded stress-strain response of individual MCFs under tension shows an initial linear deformation region for all fibrils, followed by inhomogeneous deformation above a critical strain. This inhomogeneous deformation is indicative of fibrils exhibiting either yield or strain hardening and suggests possible mineral compositional changes within each fibril. A phenomenological model is used to describe the fibril nano-mechanical behaviour.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antlers / ultrastructure*
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Bone and Bones / ultrastructure*
  • Calcification, Physiologic
  • Collagen / physiology
  • Collagen / ultrastructure*
  • Deer
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission
  • Stress, Mechanical

Substances

  • Collagen