Journal
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
Volume 1, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP
DOI: 10.1038/srep00148
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- U. S. Army Research Office [W911 NF-07-1-0449, W911NF-07-1-0335]
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Under high-strain-rate compression (strain rate similar to 10(3) s(-1)), nacre (mother-of-pearl) exhibits surprisingly high fracture strength vis-a-vis under quasi-static loading (strain rate 10(-3) s(-1)). Nevertheless, the underlying mechanism responsible for such sharply different behaviors in these two loading modes remains completely unknown. Here we report a new deformation mechanism, adopted by nacre, the best-ever natural armor material, to protect itself against predatory penetrating impacts. It involves the emission of partial dislocations and the onset of deformation twinning that operate in a well-concerted manner to contribute to the increased high-strain-rate fracture strength of nacre. Our findings unveil that Mother Nature delicately uses an ingenious strain-rate-dependent stiffening mechanism with a purpose to fight against foreign attacks. These findings should serve as critical design guidelines for developing engineered body armor materials.
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