Toughening mechanisms of the elytra of the diabolical ironclad beetle

Jesus Rivera, Maryam Sadat Hosseini, David Restrepo, Satoshi Murata, Drago Vasile, Dilworth Y. Parkinson, Harold S. Barnard, Atsushi Arakaki, Pablo Zavattieri and David Kisailus ()
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Jesus Rivera: University of California
Maryam Sadat Hosseini: Purdue University
David Restrepo: Purdue University
Satoshi Murata: Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
Drago Vasile: University of California
Dilworth Y. Parkinson: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Harold S. Barnard: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Atsushi Arakaki: Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
Pablo Zavattieri: Purdue University
David Kisailus: University of California

Nature, 2020, vol. 586, issue 7830, 543-548

Abstract: Abstract Joining dissimilar materials such as plastics and metals in engineered structures remains a challenge1. Mechanical fastening, conventional welding and adhesive bonding are examples of techniques currently used for this purpose, but each of these methods presents its own set of problems2 such as formation of stress concentrators or degradation under environmental exposure, reducing strength and causing premature failure. In the biological tissues of numerous animal and plant species, efficient strategies have evolved to synthesize, construct and integrate composites that have exceptional mechanical properties3. One impressive example is found in the exoskeletal forewings (elytra) of the diabolical ironclad beetle, Phloeodes diabolicus. Lacking the ability to fly away from predators, this desert insect has extremely impact-resistant and crush-resistant elytra, produced by complex and graded interfaces. Here, using advanced microscopy, spectroscopy and in situ mechanical testing, we identify multiscale architectural designs within the exoskeleton of this beetle, and examine the resulting mechanical response and toughening mechanisms. We highlight a series of interdigitated sutures, the ellipsoidal geometry and laminated microstructure of which provide mechanical interlocking and toughening at critical strains, while avoiding catastrophic failure. These observations could be applied in developing tough, impact- and crush-resistant materials for joining dissimilar materials. We demonstrate this by creating interlocking sutures from biomimetic composites that show a considerable increase in toughness compared with a frequently used engineering joint.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2813-8

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