Connectivity and plasticity determine collagen network fracture

• Published in: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS Vol. 117; no. 15; pp. 8326 - 8334
• Main Authors: Burla, Federica, Dussi, Simone, Martinez-Torres, Cristina, Tauber, Justin, van der Gucht, Jasper, Koenderink, Gijsje H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States National Academy of Sciences 14.04.2020
• Subjects: Animals; Biological Sciences; Biomechanical Phenomena; Cartilage; Cattle; Collagen; Collagen - chemistry; Collagen - metabolism; Computer simulation; Connective tissues; Coordination numbers; Extracellular Matrix - chemistry; Extracellular Matrix - metabolism; Humans; Mathematical models; Networks; Physical Sciences; Plastic properties; Plasticity; Rats; Rheological properties; Rheology; Structural hierarchy; Tendons; Tissues; collagen; connectivity; fracture; network

Collagen forms the structural scaffold of connective tissues in all mammals. Tissues are remarkably resistant against mechanical deformations because collagen molecules hierarchically self-assemble in fibrous networks that stiffen with increasing strain. Nevertheless, collagen networks do fracture w...