The properties of biological systems are, in general, much better than their synthetic counter parts (with similar composition and current technology), considering that biological materials are produced under mild temperatures and pressures, with low energy costs, and are made of fragil components: brittle minerals, proteins, etc. The biometric strategies shouldn’t try to directly copy the structures or functions of biological composites, but gather key concepts and adapt them to obtain similar synthetics.
The golden mussel shell presents microstructural characteristics of a composite (Figure 5.21).
Figure 5.21 – Schematic of a golden mussel shell and the crack deflection mechanism.
The high wear resistance of the shell can be considered a determining factor for the golden mussel’s enormous capacity to survive and adapt to adverse conditions. As comparison, other shells, with different architectures, were also investigated (Figure 5.22).
Figure 5.22 – Micrography and schematic of the crystal structure organization (“slats”) in Melanoides tuberculata shells, along with representation of the crack deflection mechanism.
