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Structure and Mechanical Performance of Teleost Fish Scales

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 March 2012

Deju Zhu ,
Lawrence Szewciw ,
Franck Vernerey  and
Francois Barthelat
Deju Zhu
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 2K6, Canada
Lawrence Szewciw
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 2K6, Canada
Franck Vernerey
Affiliation:
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
Francois Barthelat
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, H3A 2K6, Canada
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Abstract

In this work, we have studied the structure and mechanics of fish scales from striped bass (Morone saxatilis). This scale is about 200-300 μm thick and consists of a hard outer bony layer supported by a softer cross-ply of collagen fibrils. Puncture tests with a sharp needle indicated that a single fish scale provides a high resistance to penetration which is superior to polystyrene and polycarbonate, two engineering polymers that are typically used for light transparent packaging or protective equipment. Under puncture, the scale undergoes a sequence of two distinct failure events: First, the outer bony layer cracks following a well defined cross-like pattern which generates four “flaps” of bony material. The deflection of the flaps by the needle is resisted by the collagen layer, which in biaxial tension acts as a retaining membrane. Remarkably this second stage of the penetration process is highly stable, so that an additional 50% puncture force is required to eventually penetrate the collagen layer. The combination of a hard layer that can fail in a controlled fashion with a soft and extensible backing layer is the key to the resistance to penetration of individual scales.

Keywords

biomaterialmicrostructurecomposite
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1420: Symposium OO – Multiscale Mechanics of Hierarchical Materials , 2012 , mrsf11-1420-oo01-05
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2012

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References

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