Abstract
A fibrous herringbone-modified helicoidal architecture is identified within the exocuticle of an impact-resistant crustacean appendage. This previously unreported composite microstructure, which features highly textured apatite mineral templated by an alpha-chitin matrix, provides enhanced stress redistribution and energy absorption over the traditional helicoidal design under compressive loading. Nanoscale toughening mechanisms are also identified using high-load nanoindentation and in situ transmission electron microscopy picoindentation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 6835-6844 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Advanced Materials |
| Volume | 28 |
| Issue number | 32 |
| Publication status | Published - Aug 2016 |
Keywords
- biomineralization
- composites
- proteins