title: Cloning Nacre's 3D Interlocking Skeleton in Engineering Composites to Achieve Exceptional Mechanical Properties.
abstract: Ceramic/polymer composite equipped with 3D interlocking skeleton (3D IL) is developed through a simple freeze-casting method, exhibiting exceptionally light weight, high strength, toughness, and shock resistance. Long-range crack energy dissipation enabled by 3D interlocking structure is considered as the primary reinforcing mechanism for such superior properties. The smart composite design strategy should hold a place in developing future structural engineering materials.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology of Ministry of Education School of Chemistry and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Hewei
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology of Ministry of Education School of Chemistry and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Yonghai
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yue
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology of Ministry of Education School of Chemistry and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology of Ministry of Education School of Chemistry and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Juntao
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Bio-inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology of Ministry of Education School of Chemistry and Environment, Beihang University, Beijing, 100191, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Youwei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22904, USA.
authors.forename: Xiaodong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microstructure and Properties of Advanced Materials, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Shengcheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mao
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microstructure and Properties of Advanced Materials, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, P. R. China.
authors.forename: Xiaodong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Han
keywords: 3D interlocking skeletons; freeze-casting; mechanical properties; nacre-mimetics; structure-property relationships