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Platelet interlocks are the key to toughness and strength in nacre

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 March 2011

Kalpana S. Katti ,
Dinesh R. Katti ,
Shashindra M. Pradhan  and
Arundhati Bhosle
Kalpana S. Katti*
Affiliation:
Department of Civil Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58105
Dinesh R. Katti
Affiliation:
Department of Civil Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58105
Shashindra M. Pradhan
Affiliation:
Department of Civil Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58105
Arundhati Bhosle
Affiliation:
Department of Civil Engineering, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota 58105
*
a) Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: Kalpana.Katti@ndsu.nodak.edu
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Abstract

Nacre, the inner layer of mollusk shells is a composite made of platelets of mineral aragonitic calcium carbonate with a few weight percent organic material sandwiched in between. The organic and nanostructural nuances are often suggested to be the reason for the extreme toughness of nacre. Here we report the presence of interlocks between platelets of nacre from red abalone. We also report and show, using three-dimensional finite element modeling, that interlocks are the key mechanism for the high toughness and strength of nacre. The observed rotation between platelet layers, which were earlier reported as defects of structure, are necessary for the formation of interlocks.

Keywords

BiologicalBiomimeticMechanical properties

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Type
Rapid Communications
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 20 , Issue 5 , May 2005 , pp. 1097 - 1100
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2005

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References

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