Biomimetic armour design strategies for additive manufacturing: A review

Abstract

Nature has a wide range of biological protection strategies that show resilience to impact loading. These strategies also serve a certain amount of flexibility that contribute to body movement and locomotion. Consequently, researchers have developed biomimetic engineering structures emulating natural strategies. However, biological entities are often complex and are difficult to replicate with conventional manufacturing technologies. Recent advances in additive manufacturing provide a pathway to emulate the hierarchical architectures of biological materials. In this review paper, we consider biological structures from marine and terrestrial animals that safeguard their body parts from external attack. We also discuss biological structures that are not employed for protective purposes but provide flexibility and have damage tolerant properties suitable for developing strong, tough and lightweight bioinspired armour. Mobility and protection strategies have been considered to enhance the development of bio-inspired designs. Moreover, we discuss how additive manufacturing can be incorporated in the biomimicry design process.

Keywords

• Biological structures
• Biomimetics
• Armour
• Protection
• Design
• Additive manufacturing