Analysis of the Mechanical Behavior of Bovine Hoof Horn Using Digital Image Correlation
摘要
In this study Digital Image Correlation (DIC) was adopted to evaluate the mechanical properties of bovine hoof horn. Using specific process, tensile specimens comprised of Zones 4 and 5 of the sole were excised from the claws of the front and rear hooves of a mature Black Angus cow. After extraction the specimens were conditioned to obtain horn with relative moisture content of either 0% (dry) or 100% (wet) and then subjected to uniaxial tension to failure. The average elastic modulus (E) of all dry and wet hoof horn was 2870 ± 460 MPa and 102 ± 34 MPa respectively. Similarly, the average proportional limit stress (σ) was 29.0 ± 4.8 MPa and 1.4 ± 0.3 MPa respectively. Although the mechanical properties were dependent on distance from the dermal-epidermal junction, the influence of moisture on mechanical behavior was far greater.