Characterization via atomic force microscopy of discrete plasticity in collagen fibrils from mechanically overloaded tendons: Nano-scale structural changes mimic rope failure

- AFM imaging of discrete plasticity damage in over-loaded tendon collagen.
- Imaging of both dehydrated and hydrated fibrils reveals role of water.
- Fibrils sorted by linear kink density: control, kinked, very kinked.
- Kinked fibrils show high density core surrounded by low density shell.
- Molecular density falls with increasing linear kink density.