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Mechanical properties of nacre constituents and their impact on mechanical performance

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2006

François Barthelat ,
Chun-Ming Li ,
Claudia Comi  and
Horacio D. Espinosa
François Barthelat
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208-3111
Chun-Ming Li
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208-3111
Claudia Comi
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208-3111
Horacio D. Espinosa*
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208-3111
*
b)Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

The mechanical properties of nacre constituents from red abalone were investigated. Electron microscopy studies revealed that the tablets are composed of single-crystal aragonite with nanograin inclusions. Both nanoasperities and aragonite bridges are present within the interfaces between the tablets. By means of nanoindentation and axial compression tests, we identified single tablet elastic and inelastic properties. The elastic properties are very similar to those of single-crystal aragonite. However, their strength is higher than previously reported values for aragonite. A finite element model of the interface accounting for nanoasperities and the identified properties revealed that the nanoasperities are strong enough to withstand climbing and resist tablet sliding, at least over the initial stages of deformation. Furthermore, it was observed that the model over-predicts strength and under-predicts ductility. Therefore, we conclude that other interface features must be responsible for the enhanced performance of nacre over its constituents.

Keywords

BiologicalCompositeElastic properties
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 21 , Issue 8 , August 2006 , pp. 1977 - 1986
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2006

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