Sn. Collins et al., Stiffness as a function of moisture content in natural materials: Characterisation of hoof horn samples, J MATER SCI, 33(21), 1998, pp. 5185-5191
Hoof horn, which forms the capsule at the lower part of the legs of many gr
azing animals including equids (horses, donkeys and mules), is a composite
natural material based on a-keratin; Its function is influenced by the tubu
lar and intertubular material and is modulated by the moisture content. The
re is a requirement to adopt a standard approach to drying regimes and samp
ling protocols in order to make progress in understanding how the biomechan
ical properties of hoof horn a re related to its structure. In th is work t
he stiffness of donkey hoof has been examined using a three point bending t
echnique and the effect of hydration has been investigated. Also the tubule
density properties of this hoof horn material are reported. (C) 1998 Kluwe
r Academic Publishers.