Fracture mechanics of the cell wall of Chara corallina |
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Authors: | Toole G A Gunning P A Parker M L Smith A C Waldron K W |
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Institution: | (1) Institute of Food Research, Norwich Research Park, Colney, Norwich, NR4 7UA, UK, GB |
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Abstract: | Previous mechanical studies using algae have concentrated on cell extension and growth using creep-type experiments, but
there appears to be no published study of their failure properties. The mechanical strength of single large internode cell
walls (up to 2 mm diameter and 100 mm in length) of the charophyte (giant alga) Chara corallina was determined by dissecting cells to give sheets of cell wall, which were then notched and fractured under tension. Tensile
tests, using a range of notch sizes, were conducted on cell walls of varying age and maturity to establish their notch sensitivity
and to investigate the propagation of cracks in plant cell walls. The thickness and stiffness of the walls increased with
age whereas their strength was little affected. The strength of unnotched walls was estimated as 47 ± 13 MPa, comparable to
that of some grasses but an order of magnitude higher than that published for model bacterial cellulose composite walls. The
strength was notch-sensitive and the critical stress intensity factor K
1c was estimated to be 0.63 ± 0.19 MNm−3/2, comparable to published values for grasses.
Received: 4 April 2000 / Accepted: 21 July 2000 |
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Keywords: | : Cell wall (fracture mechanics) Chara (cell wall) Fracture (cell wall) Notch sensitivity Stiffness (cell wall) Strength (cell wall) |
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