Investigation of Mechanical and Physical Properties of Big Sheep Horn as an Alternative Biomaterial for Structural Applications

Abstract

This paper investigates the physical and mechanical properties of bighorns of Deccani breed sheep native from Karnataka, India. The exhaustive work comprises two cases. First, rehydrated (wet) and ambient (dry) conditions, and second, the horn coupons were selected for longitudinal and lateral (transverse) directions. More than seventy-two samples were subjected to a test for physical and mechanical property extraction. Further, twenty-four samples were subjected to physical property testing, which included density and moisture absorption tests. At the same time, mechanical testing included analysis of the stress state dependence with the horn keratin tested under tension, compression, and flexural loading. The mechanical properties include the elastic modulus, yield strength, ultimate strength, failure strain, compressive strength, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and hardness. The results showed anisotropy and depended highly on the presence of water content more than coupon orientation. Wet conditioned specimens had a significant loss in mechanical properties compared with dry specimens. The observed outcomes were shown at par with results for yield strength of 53.5 ± 6.5 MPa (which is better than its peers) and a maximum compressive stress of 557.7 ± 5 MPa (highest among peers). Young’s modulus 6.5 ± 0.5 GPa and a density equivalent to a biopolymer of 1.2 g/cc are expected to be the lightest among its peers; flexural strength 168.75 MPa, with lowest failure strain percentage of 6.5 ± 0.5 and Rockwell hardness value of 60 HRB, seem best in the class of this category. Simulation study identified a suitable application area based on impact and fatigue analysis. Overall, the exhaustive experimental work provided many opportunities to use this new material in various diversified applications in the future.

Parameter Study on Friction Surfacing of AISI316Ti Stainless Steel over EN8 Carbon Steel and Its Effect on Coating Dimensions and Bond Strength

“…However, the weight losses detected are very low and are between 6 and 9 mg. Hence, this proved the steel’s corrosion resistivity and demonstrated strong resistance [ 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 ].…”

Influence of Heat Treatment and Reinforcements on Tensile Characteristics of Aluminium AA 5083/Silicon Carbide/Fly Ash Composites

“…The appropriate ANN framework that was chosen in this analysis has 30 neurons in the hidden layer for the prediction of UTS as shown in Figure 24. A tangent sigmoid transfer feature operates in the hidden layer [54][55][56]. A linear transfer function and the 'Levenberg-Marquardt' learning algorithm are used in the output layer [57,58].…”

Microstructure, Mechanical Properties, and Corrosion Behavior of Boron Carbide Reinforced Aluminum Alloy (Al-Fe-Si-Zn-Cu) Matrix Composites Produced via Powder Metallurgy Route

“…The diameter of the semicircle decreases with an increase in acid concentration, indicating an increase in the corrosion rate. A rise in the diameters of the Nyquist plots indicates the improved protective nature of the inhibitor against damage of material in the corrosive solution [53]. It could be understood that corrosion resistance increases when increasing the B 4 C weight percentage.…”

“…The preforms are occupied through the oxide film capacitance; furthermore, the capacitance arcs diameters increased with an increase in the B4C particle; perhaps the opposition of the surface oxide film on the samples upsurges with the enhancement in crease in acid concentration, indicating an increase in the corrosion rate. A rise in the diameters of the Nyquist plots indicates the improved protective nature of the inhibitor against damage of material in the corrosive solution [53]. It could be understood that corrosion resistance increases when increasing the B4C weight percentage.…”