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Structure/Property Relationships of Seashells

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

David J. Scurr  and
Stephen J. Eichhorn
David J. Scurr
Affiliation:
Materials Science Centre, School of Materials, University of Manchester, Grosvenor St. Manchester, England, M1 7HS
Stephen J. Eichhorn
Affiliation:
Materials Science Centre, School of Materials, University of Manchester, Grosvenor St. Manchester, England, M1 7HS
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Abstract

This study uses various characterisation techniques on the razor shell (Ensis siliqua), to relate the shell's microstructure to its mechanical properties. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has shown that the outer and inner regions of the shell are composed of simple and complex crossed lamellar microstructures respectively. These layers are interspersed by prismatic layers of a completely different crystallographic orientation. Nanoindentation and microhardness measurements have shown that the structure is anisotropic, and Raman band shifts have been observed within these indented/deformed areas of shell, showing that the microstructure deforms rather than generating surface damage. The use of energy variable synchrotron X-ray diffraction has shown that the calcium carbonate crystals of the shell are preferentially orientated as a function of depth and that opposing residual stresses exist at the outer and inner regions of the shell. This study has analysed several microstructural features of the shell and provided an insight into how they prevent failure of the material.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 844: Symposium Y – Mechanical Properties of Bio-Inspired and Biological Materials , 2004 , Y4.3
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2005

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References

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