A study of the dynamic compressive behavior of Elk antler

Large mammalian antler is extremely tough and fracture resistant compared to other more brittle forms of skeletal bone. The ability of antler to resist fracture is associated with a decrease in material stiffness and yield strength and increased non-linear response, due in part to antler being fast growing, since they are typically shed and regrown annually. Since male Elk commonly engage in antler sparring as a means of making dominance displays, the ability to withstand large impacts suggest that antler may exhibit strain-rate dependent behavior even greater than skeletal bone. To evaluate this hypothesis, specimens of antler were tested in compression over a range of strain rates. Specimens were loaded either along or transversely to the osteonal growth direction, in wet and dry conditions. Results showed that antler exhibits higher compressive strengths at increased strain rates, and that strain rate and hydration are greater determinants of compressive strength than osteonal orientation. In addition, antler can sustain compressive strains a full order-of-magnitude greater than in mammalian long bone. Failed specimens showed that a hierarchical chain of deformation mechanisms sustains the large bulk strains supported by antler. These mechanisms appear to be less brittle and more fibrous than those seen previously in skeletal bone.

Research Highlights
► Antlers show strong strain rate effects, much greater than human or equine bone.
► Strain rate and hydration have a greater effect on strength than osteon orientation.
► A hierarchical chain of deformation mechanisms sustain large strains in antler.