The natural armors of fish: A comparison of the lamination pattern and structure of scales
Abstract
Fish scales exhibit a unique balance of flexibility, strength and toughness, which is essential to provide protection without encumbering locomotion. Although the mechanical behavior and structure of this natural armor are of recent interest, a comparison of these qualities from scales of different fish species has not been reported. In this investigation the armor of fish with different locomotion, size and protection needs were analyzed. Scales from the Arapaima gigas, the tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) and the carp (Cyprinus carpio) were compared in terms of the stacking sequence of individual plies and their microstructure. The scales were also compared with respect to anatomical position to distinguish site-specific functional differences. Results show that the lamination sequence of plies for the carp and tarpon exhibit a Bouligand structure with relative rotation of 75° between consecutive plies. The arapaima scales exhibit a cross-ply structure, with 90° rotation between adjacent plies. In addition, results indicate that the volume fraction of reinforcement, the number of plies and the variations in thickness with anatomical position are unique amongst the three fish. These characteristics should be considered in evaluations focused on the mechanical behavior.
- Authors:
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States). Environmental Molecular Sciences Lab. (EMSL)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1414533
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-129872
Journal ID: ISSN 1751-6161; 49075
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- Resource Type:
- Journal Article
- Journal Name:
- Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Volume: 73; Journal Issue: C; Journal ID: ISSN 1751-6161
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory
Citation Formats
Murcia, Sandra, Lavoie, Ellen, Linley, Tim, Devaraj, Arun, Ossa, E. Alex, and Arola, D. The natural armors of fish: A comparison of the lamination pattern and structure of scales. United States: N. p., 2017.
Web. doi:10.1016/j.jmbbm.2016.09.025.
Murcia, Sandra, Lavoie, Ellen, Linley, Tim, Devaraj, Arun, Ossa, E. Alex, & Arola, D. The natural armors of fish: A comparison of the lamination pattern and structure of scales. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2016.09.025
Murcia, Sandra, Lavoie, Ellen, Linley, Tim, Devaraj, Arun, Ossa, E. Alex, and Arola, D. 2017.
"The natural armors of fish: A comparison of the lamination pattern and structure of scales". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2016.09.025.
@article{osti_1414533,
title = {The natural armors of fish: A comparison of the lamination pattern and structure of scales},
author = {Murcia, Sandra and Lavoie, Ellen and Linley, Tim and Devaraj, Arun and Ossa, E. Alex and Arola, D.},
abstractNote = {Fish scales exhibit a unique balance of flexibility, strength and toughness, which is essential to provide protection without encumbering locomotion. Although the mechanical behavior and structure of this natural armor are of recent interest, a comparison of these qualities from scales of different fish species has not been reported. In this investigation the armor of fish with different locomotion, size and protection needs were analyzed. Scales from the Arapaima gigas, the tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) and the carp (Cyprinus carpio) were compared in terms of the stacking sequence of individual plies and their microstructure. The scales were also compared with respect to anatomical position to distinguish site-specific functional differences. Results show that the lamination sequence of plies for the carp and tarpon exhibit a Bouligand structure with relative rotation of 75° between consecutive plies. The arapaima scales exhibit a cross-ply structure, with 90° rotation between adjacent plies. In addition, results indicate that the volume fraction of reinforcement, the number of plies and the variations in thickness with anatomical position are unique amongst the three fish. These characteristics should be considered in evaluations focused on the mechanical behavior.},
doi = {10.1016/j.jmbbm.2016.09.025},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1414533},
journal = {Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials},
issn = {1751-6161},
number = C,
volume = 73,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 2017},
month = {Fri Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 2017}
}