Understanding Curly Hair Mechanics: Fiber Strength
TLDR Curly hair is mechanically different from straight hair and may need new testing methods.
The study "Understanding Curly Hair Mechanics: Fiber Strength" from January 1, 2020, investigated the mechanical properties of curly hair fibers, revealing that curly fibers exhibit unique stress-strain behavior, particularly in the toe region, which contributes significantly to their tensile strength. The research highlighted that traditional tensile testing methods might underestimate the strength of curly hair due to preparation-induced strain. The study involved 25 donors and used 10-40 fibers per donor, suggesting that curly hair's tensile behavior is comparable to coiled springs and muscle tendons. The findings emphasized the need for large-scale studies and improved testing methods to accurately measure the strength components of curly hair.
