Tribological properties of femur-tibia articulation of lubber grasshopper Academic Article

abstract

• This study focuses on the tribological properties of femurtibia articulation of grasshopper (Romalea guttata) leg joints. It was found that the coefficient of friction for the articulation was very low, 0.0520.001 and 0.0370.002 under dry and squalane lubricated conditions, respectively. A synergistic combination of a unique joint morphology and internal nanostructure of grasshopper joints were found to be responsible for their exceptional frictional and mechanical properties. Overall, given the exact mechanism by which insect joints reduce friction and wear is still unknown, this original study reveals the main characteristics of the insect joints responsible for their efficient operation and improved tribological properties. 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

authors

• Akbulut, Mustafa

published proceedings

• TRIBOLOGY INTERNATIONAL

author list (cited authors)

• Kheireddin, B. A., Williams, T. C., & Akbulut, M.

citation count

• 12

complete list of authors

• Kheireddin, Bassem A||Williams, Toby C||Akbulut, Mustafa

publication date

• January 2012

publisher

• Elsevier  Publisher

published in

• Tribology International  Journal

keywords

• Adhesion
• Biolubrication
• Biotribology
• Nanoindentation

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• 10.1016/j.triboint.2012.02.001

start page

• 76

end page

• 81

volume

• 50

URL

• http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2012.02.001