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Predation versus protection: Fish teeth and scales evaluated by nanoindentation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 November 2011

Po-Yu Chen ,
Jeffrey Schirer ,
Amanda Simpson ,
Richard Nay ,
Yen-Shan Lin ,
Wen Yang ,
Maria I. Lopez ,
Jianan Li ,
Eugene A. Olevsky  and
Marc A. Meyers
Po-Yu Chen*
Affiliation:
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
Jeffrey Schirer
Affiliation:
Hysitron Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55344
Amanda Simpson
Affiliation:
Hysitron Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55344
Richard Nay
Affiliation:
Hysitron Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55344
Yen-Shan Lin
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093; and Department of Mechanical Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182
Wen Yang
Affiliation:
Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
Maria I. Lopez
Affiliation:
Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
Jianan Li
Affiliation:
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People’s Republic of China
Eugene A. Olevsky
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, California 92182
Marc A. Meyers
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Department of Nanoengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
*
a)Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: poyuchen@mx.nthu.edu.tw
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Abstract

Most biological materials are hierarchically structured composites that often possess exceptional mechanical properties. We show that nanoindentation can be a powerful tool for understanding the structure‑mechanical property relationship of biological materials and illustrate this for fish teeth and scales, not heretofore investigated at the nanoscale. Piranha and shark teeth consist of enameloid and dentin. Nanoindentation measurements show that the reduced modulus and hardness of enameloid are 4‑5 times higher than those of dentin. Arapaima scales are multilayered composites that consist of mineralized collagen fibers. The external layer is more highly mineralized, resulting in a higher modulus and hardness compared with the internal layer. Alligator gar scales are composed of a highly mineralized external ganoin layer and an internal bony layer. Similar design strategies, gradient structures, and a hard external layer backed by a more compliant inner layer are exhibited by fish teeth and scales and seem to fulfill their functional purposes.

Keywords

BiologicalBiomaterialNanoindentation
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 27 , Issue 1: Focus Issue: Instrumented Indentation , 14 January 2012 , pp. 100 - 112
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2011

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