title: Can a fibrillar interface be stronger and tougher than a non-fibrillar one?
abstract: Elasticity analysis and finite element simulations are carried out to study the strength of an elastic fibrillar interface. The fibrils are assumed to be in perfect contact with a rigid substrate. The adhesive interaction between the fibrils and the substrate is modelled by the Dugdale-Barenblatt model (DB). The condition for a fibrillar interface to be stronger than a non-fibrillar one is obtained for two regimes: (i) small fibril or flaw insensitive regime; (ii) large fibril or flaw sensitive regime. The transition between the two regimes is characterized by a dimensionless parameter that incorporates the material constants of the elastic fibrils and interfacial properties. The condition for a fibrillar interface to be tougher is also given. Lateral collapse is found to be detrimental to the strength and toughness of a fibrillar interface.
authors.affiliation: Cornell University, Department of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. tt88@cornell.edu
authors.forename: Tian
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Chung-Yuen
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Hui
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Glassmaker
mesh_terms: D000268:Adhesiveness; D000269:Adhesives / Q000737:chemistry*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004548:Elasticity; D024022:Fibrillar Collagens / Q000737:chemistry*; D008956:Models, Chemical; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D000269:Adhesives; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D024022:Fibrillar Collagens