Biological armors under impact - Effect of keratin coating, and synthetic bio-inspired analogues

B. Achrai, B. Bar-On, H. D. Wagner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

46 Scopus citations

Abstract

A number of biological armors, such as turtle shells, consist of a strong exoskeleton covered with a thin keratin coating. The mechanical role upon impact of this keratin coating has surprisingly not been investigated thus far. Low-velocity impact tests on the turtle shell reveal a unique toughening phenomenon attributed to the thin covering keratin layer, the presence of which noticeably improves the fracture energy and shell integrity. Synthetic substrate/coating analogues were subsequently prepared and exhibit an impact behavior similar to the biological ones. The results of the present study may improve our understanding, and even future designs, of impact-tolerant structures.

Original languageEnglish
Article number016009
JournalBioinspiration and Biomimetics
Volume10
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Feb 2015

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Biophysics
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Medicine
  • Engineering (miscellaneous)

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