Tensile Properties of Veins of Damselfly Wing

Rupan  Talucdher; Kunigal  Shivakumar

doi:10.4236/jbnb.2013.43031

Rupan Talucdher, Kunigal Shivakumar^*

Abstract: Microtension test of Costa and Radius veins of damselfly wing was conducted to measure tensile strength and modulus. The specimens were classified into fresh and dry depending on when the samples were prepared and tested. Fresh samples tested immediately after extracting from the fly while the dry samples were tested one year after extraction and stored in a desiccator. Measured load-displacement response and fracture load were used to calculate modulus and strength. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope was used to measure the fracture morphology and cross-section of the vein. The results showed that the veins are brittle and fracture surface is flat. The average strength (232 - 285 MPa) and modulus (14 - 17 GPa) of the Costa and Radius veins were nearly same for both fresh and dry samples. The tensile modulus of the veins was 8% - 10% higher than the indentation (compressive) modulus and was nearly the same as that of human bones.

Keywords: Damselfly Wing; Microtension Test; Tensile Strength; Tensile Modulus; Micro Air Vehicle

Cite this paper: R. Talucdher and K. Shivakumar, "Tensile Properties of Veins of Damselfly Wing," Journal of Biomaterials and Nanobiotechnology, Vol. 4 No. 3, 2013, pp. 247-255. doi: 10.4236/jbnb.2013.43031.

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