Adhesion of Mussel Threads Like Structures in Side Contact Enhanced by Graded Elastic Property

Abstract

Mussels can attach to a variety of underwater hard substrate for survival via their threads. The threads that are fibril like structures, however, exhibit heterogeneous mechanical properties both along the fibril and in the cross section. This paper aims to elucidate the effect of mechanical heterogeneity on the adhesion of fibrils. Based on the study of a rigid cylinder in adhesive contact with a functionally graded layer bonded to a half-plane within the Johnson–Kendall–Roberts model, a graded fibril in side contact with a rigid substrate has been investigated. It has been demonstrated that although the heterogeneous property in the cross section may have little effect on the adhesion strength, adhesion of a fibril in side contact can be enhanced by the heterogeneous mechanical property along the fibril length. The implications have also been discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Elastic gradient
• Fibril adhesion
• Side contact

Notes

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