Mechanical behavior of bio-inspired laminated composites

To investigate if the relative high strength and stiffness of biological composites can be translated into man-made materials, innovative bio-inspired laminated composites with commercial materials (glass epoxy prepreg) were designed and manufactured by incorporating the distinctive helicoidal morphology observed in the exoskeletons of crustaceans. The helicoidal structure is characterized by a stacking sequence consisting of a gradual rotation of each lamina in the multi-layered laminated composites. Variations of the helicoidal structure were designed and produced to address some important issues encountered in the practical composites manufacturing process, including mid-plane symmetry. In addition, composite structures with a general quasi-isotropic configuration were made as a baseline structure. Selected material properties (flexural properties, shear strength) were evaluated through appropriate ASTM tests and laminated composites theory. Structure post-damage behavior was also investigated. Significant improvement in the mechanical performance of the bio-inspired structure was observed over the baseline structure. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.