The Adhesion of the Barnacle, Balanus Balanoides, to Slate Surfaces

Abstract

Techniques were developed to measure the adhesion of the barnacle Balanus balanoides (L.), over the post metamorphosis period. It was found that Balanus balanoides is capable of producing a proteinaceous adhesive material within one day of metamorphosis. This adhesive material was found to withstand applied forces of 1·7×10⁵ Nm⁻² before cohesive failure took place. The strength of the cement produced by older barnacles, measured at a time when the adult cement apparatus is known to be operating, was considerably greater and applied forces of 9·3 × 10 Nm were necessary to induce cohesive failure in the cement. The strength of B. balanoides cement was thus shown to be at least one tenth of that of commercial adhesives which have tensile strengths in the region of 10⁷ Nm⁻².