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Nanoscale morphology and indentation of individual nacre tablets from the gastropod mollusc Trochus niloticus

Author(s):
B.J.F. Bruet , H.J. Qi, M.C. Boyce, R. Panas, K. Tai, L. Frick, C. Ortiz

The inner nacreous layer of gastropod mollusc Trochus niloticus is composed of ¡­95 wt% planar arrays of polygonal aragonite-based tablets (¡­8 ¥ìm wide, ¡­0.9 ¥ìm thick, stacked ¡­40 nm apart) and ¡­5 wt% biomacromolecules. High-resolution tapping mode atomic force microscope images enabled nanoscale resolution of fractured tablet cross-sections, the organic component, and deformation of individual nanoasperities on top of tablet surfaces. Nanoindentation was performed on individual nacre tablets and the elastic modulus E and yield stress ¥òy were reduced from elastic-plastic finite element simulations yielding E = 92 GPa, ¥òy = 11 GPa (freshly cleaved samples) and E = 79 GPa, ¥òy = 9 GPa (artificial seawater soaked samples). Images of the indents revealed extensive plastic deformation with a clear residual indent and surrounding pileup.

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Volume: 20
#: 9
Pages: 2400-2419
DOI: 10.1557/JMR.2005.0273

Elsevier/Materials Today