Table 1 Microstructural features in rhinoceros horn and functionally comparable horn-like bio-materials15,16,17.

From: Creating artificial Rhino Horns from Horse Hair

Property

Rhino horn

Compact antler

Sheep Horn

Horse hoof

Mid-range tubule density (mm−2)

7

36

22

24

Channel diameter (μm)

100

25

100

40

Porosity (%)

6

9

7

3

Work of fracture (MJm−2)

10.0

13.9

19.6

12.0

  1. Note that, in effect, the rhino horn is an all keratin structure and the antler is an all bone structure while the sheep horn is a bone core bearing a keratin sheath and the horse hoof is a keratin nail over a bone base.
Back to article page