Model for the robust mechanical behavior of nacre

Evans, A. G.; Suo, Z.; Wang, R. Z.; Aksay, I. A.; He, M. Y.; Hutchinson, J. W.

Affiliations

¹Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Princeton Materials Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544

²Department of Chemical Engineering and Princeton Materials Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544

³Materials Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106

⁴Division of Engineering and Applied Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138

Abstract

The inelastic deformation of nacre that leads to its structural robustness has been characterized in a recent experimental study. This article develops a model for the inelastic behavior, measured in tension, along the axis of the aragonite plates. The model is based on observations for abalone nacre that the inelasticity is associated with periodic dilatation bands. These bands contain coordinated separations at the periphery of the plates. The separations open as the material strains. The response is attributed to nanoscale asperities on the surfaces of the plates. The model calculates the stresses needed to displace the plates, resisted by elastic contacts at the asperities. The results are compared with the measured stress/strain curves.

Links

DOI: 10.1557/JMR.2001.0339

WoS: 000170898900005

History

Received: 2000-11-24

Accepted: 2001-05-15

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Cited By (16)

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2004	Fratzl P, Gupta HS, Paschalis EP, Roschger P. Structure and mechanical quality of the collagen–mineral nano-composite in bone. J Mater Chem. 2004;14(14):2115-2123.
2012	Sunab J, Bhushan B. Hierarchical structure and mechanical properties of nacre: a review. RSC Adv. 2012;2(20):7617-7632.
2011	Wang R, Gupta HS. Deformation and fracture mechanisms of bone and nacre. Ann Rev Mater Res. August 2011;41:41-73.
2007	Barthelat F, Espinosa HD. An experimental investigation of deformation and fracture of nacre–mother of pearl. Exp Mech. 2007;47(3):311-324.
2005	Bruet BJF, Qi H., Boyce MC, Panas R, Tai K, Frick L, Ortiz C. Nanoscale morphology and indentation of individual nacre tablets from the gastropod mollusc Trochus niloticus. J Mater Res. September 2005;20(9):2400-2419.
2011	Barthelat F, Zhua D. A novel biomimetic material duplicating the structure and mechanics of natural nacre. J Mater Res. 2011;26(10):1203-1215.
2006	Barthelat F, Li C-M, Comi C, Espinosa HD. Mechanical properties of nacre constituents and their impact on mechanical performance. J Mater Sci. 2006;21(8):1977-1986.
2011	Rim JE, Zavattieri P, Juster A, Espinosa HD. Dimensional analysis and parametric studies for designing artificial nacre. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater. February 2011;4(2):190-211.
2007	Barthelat F, Tang H, Zavattieri PD, Li C-M, Espinosa HD. On the mechanics of mother-of-pearl: a key feature in the material hierarchical structure. J Mech Phys Solids. February 2007;55(2):306-337.
2007	Tang H, Barthelat F, Espinosa HD. An elasto-viscoplastic interface model for investigating the constitutive behavior of nacre. J Mech Phys Solids. July 2007;55(7):1410-1438.
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2011	Ebacher V. Experimental Study of Deformation and Microcracking in Human Cortical Bone [PhD thesis]. Vancouver, BC: University of British Columbia; May 2011.
2008	Lin AY-M. Structural and Functional Biological Materials: Abalone Nacre, Sharp Materials, and Abalone Foot Adhesion [PhD thesis]. San Siego, CA: University of California San Diego; 2008.
2019	Jung J-Y. Learning from Nature: An Investigation of an Impact-Resistant System on the Woodpecker Head as a Non-Traumatic Brain Injury Animal Model [PhD thesis]. San Siego, CA: University of California San Diego; 2019.