Young’s modulus varies with differential orientation of keratin in feathers

Feathers are composed of a structure that, whilst being very light, is able to withstand the large aerodynamic forces exerted upon them during flight. To explore the contribution of molecular orientation to feather keratin mechanical properties, we have examined the nanoscopic organisation of the ke...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of structural biology 2003-08, Vol.143 (2), p.118-123
Main Authors: Cameron, G.J., Wess, T.J., Bonser, R.H.C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Birds - anatomy & histology
Feather keratin
Feathers - chemistry
Geese
Keratins - chemistry
Pliability
Species Specificity
Struthioniformes
X-Ray Diffraction
Young’s modulus
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Summary:Feathers are composed of a structure that, whilst being very light, is able to withstand the large aerodynamic forces exerted upon them during flight. To explore the contribution of molecular orientation to feather keratin mechanical properties, we have examined the nanoscopic organisation of the keratin molecules by X-ray diffraction techniques and have confirmed a link between this and the Young’s modulus of the feather rachis. Our results indicate that along the rachis length, from calamus to tip, the keratin molecules become more aligned than at the calamus before returning to a state of higher mis-orientation towards the tip of the rachis. We have also confirmed the general trend of increasing Young’s modulus with distance along the rachis. Furthermore, we report a distinct difference in the patterns of orientation of β-keratin in the feathers of flying and flightless birds. The trend for increased modulus along the feathers of volant birds is absent in the flightless ostrich.
ISSN:1047-8477
1095-8657
DOI:10.1016/S1047-8477(03)00142-4