Toughness in synthetic and biological multilayered systems.
Toughness in hard biological tissues is associated with fibrous or lamellar structures that deflect or stop growing cracks. In some cases, such as nacreous shell, protein interlayers absorb much of the crack energy. In other tissues, such as tooth enamel, the toughness derives from the mineral microstructure, and the small amount of residual protein apparently has little effect. There have been a number of efforts to make tough synthetic materials using layered structures. In this work, freeform fabrication has been used to make layered structures with a view to introducing similar toughness into brittle materials. Results are presented for epoxy-glass composites with glass fabric interlayers, porous alumina back-filled with aluminium metal, and layered glass-ceramic/silver materials.
Calvert
Paul
P
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
Cesarano
Joe
J
Chandra
Haripin
H
Denham
Hugh
H
Kasichainula
Sridhar
S
Vaidyanathan
Ranji
R
D000535:Aluminum / Q000737:chemistry; D000538:Aluminum Silicates / Q000737:chemistry; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002516:Ceramics / Q000737:chemistry*; D003188:Composite Resins / Q000737:chemistry*; D003776:Dental Porcelain / Q000737:chemistry*; D004853:Epoxy Resins / Q000737:chemistry*; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry*; D006244:Hardness; D008422:Materials Testing; D016062:Porosity; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry
D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D003188:Composite Resins; D004853:Epoxy Resins; C009753:fiberglass; D003776:Dental Porcelain; D012834:Silver; D000535:Aluminum