Multiscale mechanical and structural characterizations of Palmetto wood for bio-inspired hierarchically structured polymer composites

Gershon, Alan L.; Bruck, Hugh A.; Xu, Shaowen; Sutton, Michael A.; Tiwari, Vikrant

doi:10.1016/j.msec.2009.10.004

Cited by 29 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…The knowledge of the structure is used to form similar structures artificially [12,13]. Composite materials inspired by wood structure and wood polymer composites are some of the examples.…”

Section: Woodmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi‐Length Scale Hierarchy in Natural Materials

Benjwal

Balani

2014

Biosurfaces

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The principal objective or inspiration behind scientific studies is to explain logically what we observe around us in the nature and use this knowledge for developing newer technologies for an improved human life. The study of natural objects, materials and phenomenon has crucial effects in many technological developments. For example, from the study of the wings of birds, we learn a suitable structure of the airplane wings. Nature offers us challenging opportunities to develop newer materials and technologies, and we are still far behind in terms of the skills we have developed. Biomaterials, for example, show unique and multi-functional properties, not attained in artificial materials yet. They often exhibit complex structural designs on the basis of building blocks arranged in hierarchical manner at different length scales from micro-to nano-level. These structural levels are responsible for their unique properties and multi-dimensional functioning. For example, the superhydrophobic nature of lotus leaf originates from its multi-scale

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Section: Woodmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multi‐Length Scale Hierarchy in Natural Materials

Benjwal

Balani

2014

Biosurfaces

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“…3 [3]. As a first order approximation, the flexural stress, flexural strain and strain energy for a specimen with cross-section 9.5×9.5 mm 2 and support span length of 62.5 mm are calculated using the classical relations for homogeneous isotropic materials given by:…”

Section: Deformation Measurement At Macro-scalementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, for the first time it will be possible to understand how these failure mechanisms translate across multiple length scales in a natural hierarchically-structured material that may serve as a template for biologically-inspired polymer composites. In previous work, a model laminated composite structure inspired by Palmetto wood was reported and the effects of the bioinspired hierarchical structure on the mechanical behavior was characterized [3]. The bioinspired laminated composite exhibited higher flexural energy density and its Weibull failure statistics were enhanced and found to be closer to those of Palmetto wood.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…The unique hierarchical structure of the fibers in Palmetto wood to achieve mechanical strength and serve the biological purposes and its relationship to the mechanical behavior of the fibers has recently been characterized at multiple length scales and related to the mechanical behavior of the fibers [3]. Through the use of optical microscopy, the hierarchical structure of the Palmetto wood was established previously, as shown in Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1 Cross-section of hierarchical structure in Palmetto wood previously obtained using optical microscopy [3] interferometric techniques like marker techniques [4,5] and digital image correlation [6]. Moire interferometry [7][8][9][10], holographic interferometry [11,12] and speckle interferometry [7,8,[13][14][15][16][17][18] have been employed extensively for nanoscale and microscale deformation measurements.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Multi-scale Mechanical Characterization of Palmetto Wood using Digital Image Correlation to Develop a Template for Biologically-Inspired Polymer Composites

et al. 2010

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Palmetto wood is garnering growing interest as a template for creating biologically-inspired polymer composites due to its historical use as an energy absorbing material in protective structures. In this study, quasi-static three-point bend tests have been performed to characterize the mechanical behavior of Palmetto wood. Full-field deformation measurements are obtained using Digital Image Correlation (DIC) to elucidate on the strain fields associated with the mechanical response. By analyzing strain fields at multiple length scales, it is possible to study the more homogeneous mechanical behavior at the macroscale associated with the global load-deformation response; while at the microscale the mechanical behavior is more inhomogeneous due to microstructural failure mechanisms. Thus, it was possible to determine that, despite the presence of discontinuous macro-fiber reinforcement, at the macroscale the response is associated with classical bending and progressive failure processes that are adequately described by Weibull statistics proceeding from the tensile side of the specimen. At the microscale, however, the failure mechanisms giving rise to the macroscopic response consist of both shear-dominated debonding between the fiber and matrix, and inter-fiber matrix failure due to pore collapse.These microscale mechanisms are present in both the compressive and tensile regions of the specimen, most likely due to local macro-fiber bending, which is independent of the global bending state. The pore collapse mechanism observed during mechanical loading appears to improve the energy absorption of the matrix material, thereby, transferring less energy and shear strain to the macro-fibermatrix interface for initiation of debonding. However, the pore collapse mechanism can also accumulate substantial shear strain, which results in matrix shear cracking. Through these complex failure mechanisms, Palmetto wood exhibits a high resistance to catastrophic failure after damage initiation, an observation that can be used as inspiration for creating new polymer composite materials.

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