A Method for Measuring the Adhesion Strength of Marine Mussels

Abstract

Marine mussels produce a byssal adhesive assembly for attachment to surfaces in the marine environment. The byssus is characterized by an array of adhesive plaques, each attached to threads that are anchored inside the animal. Here we describe a rapid method for determining detachment force, area, and overall adhesion of mussel plaques. Adhesion forces for mussels attached to glass, aluminum, acrylic, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and Silastic® T2 are reported. This method may aid in the development of new adhesive materials and antifouling surfaces.

Keywords:

• Adhesion
• Bioadhesion
• Biological adhesion
• Biological material
• Biomaterial
• Marine
• Mussel

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank John Slavin and Albena Ivanisevic for help in obtaining water contact angle data and Emily Carrington for helpful discussions. This work was supported by the Office of Naval Research.

Notes

One of a Collection of papers honoring J. Herbert Waite, the recipient in February 2009 of The Adhesion Soceity Award for Excellence in Adhesion Science, Sponsored by 3M.