Interfacial strength-controlled energy dissipation mechanism and optimization in impact-resistant nacreous structure

Kaijin Wu; Zhijun Zheng; Shuaishuai Zhang; Linghui He; Hongbin Yao; Xinglong Gong; Yong Ni

Materials & Design (Feb 2019)

Interfacial strength-controlled energy dissipation mechanism and optimization in impact-resistant nacreous structure

Kaijin Wu,
Zhijun Zheng,
Shuaishuai Zhang,
Linghui He,
Hongbin Yao,
Xinglong Gong,
Yong Ni

Affiliations

Kaijin Wu: CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Modern Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
Zhijun Zheng: CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Modern Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
Shuaishuai Zhang: CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Modern Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
Linghui He: CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Modern Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
Hongbin Yao: Division of Nanomaterials and Chemistry Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale Department of Chemistry, National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
Xinglong Gong: CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Modern Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
Yong Ni: CAS Key Laboratory of Mechanical Behavior and Design of Materials, Department of Modern Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China; Corresponding author.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 163

Abstract

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Nacre with a combination of superior strength and toughness is one of the best natural body armors due to its unique brick-and-mortar structure, which is recently regarded as the model system for the lightweight and high impact performance composite design. However, most of the studies of nacreous structure focused on static loadings or simple one-dimensional dynamic load. Our study presents 3D finite element simulation, 3D printing and drop-tower impact testing to reveal the role of interfacial strength and impact velocity in impact resistance of the nacreous structure. An optimal interfacial strength is observed at which the impact resistance reaches a maximum. Sorting of various evolving damage patterns demonstrates that the simultaneous intralayer radial cracks propagation and interlayer delamination lead to a maximal energy dissipation in the presence of the optimal interfacial strength. The phase diagram of damage patterns depending on interfacial strength and impact velocity reveals that the optimal interfacial strength decreases with increasing impact velocity. This study demonstrates that the impact-resistance of nacreous structure under different impact velocities can be enhanced by tuning the interfacial strength, and gives some guidance for advanced protective materials designs. Keywords: Nacreous structure, Impact resistance, Interfacial strength, Finite element analysis, 3D-printing, Drop-tower impact experiment

Published in Materials & Design

ISSN: 0264-1275 (Print); 1873-4197 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Technology: Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering: Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/materials-and-design

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