Biomimetics Analysis Based Upon the Microstructure of Nacre

Abstract

Advanced lightweight and heat-resistant materials that can be applied to blades in jet engine have been actively developed. Ceramic-matrix composites are addressed as one of the candidates. In contrast, attention has been focused on the microstructural control based on biomimetic knowledge to realize even better heat-resistant materials. In this study, we focused on red abalone consisting mainly of a nacreous layer and investigated its mechanical properties. As a result, it was found that the nacreous layer composed of calcium carbonate exhibits nonlinear deformation behavior, which is attributed to the sliding deformation of the organic layer between the plates. A finite element analysis was also performed based on the brick model, which introduces a nonlinear cohesive model for layer cracking and interlayering. The results showed that the nonlinear deformation behavior and the zigzag propagation of cracks in the microstructure can be simulated adequately. In the future work, we will investigate the block shape in the brick model from rectangular to polygonal and the material constants in the adhesion model on the macroscopic deformation behavior and fracture toughness values.