The Young`s Modulus and Impact Energy Absorption of Wet and Dry Deer Cortical Bone

Abstract

We have shown recently that antlers of red deer, at the time that they are used in fights in the rut, are essentially dry. We have also shown that dry antler material has a lower impact energy absorption than that of wet antler, a property which, in a fight, is probably very important in the first clashing of antlers. However, dry antler has a much higher Young's modulus (stiffness) than wet antler, and this property will be important in the pushing match that follows the initial impact. These values were compared with those of wet bone, and it was found that although dry antler had a somewhat lower Young's modulus than wet bone, it had a much higher impact energy absorption. In that paper we did not consider the properties of dry bone. We now rectify that.