The crustacean exoskeleton as an example of a structurally and mechanically graded biological nanocomposite material

Abstract This is an experimental study on the mechanical and structural gradients through the cuticle of Homarus americanus (American lobster). The exocuticle (outer layer) is characterized by a very fine woven structure of the fibrous chitin–protein matrix (‘twisted plywood’ structure) and by a high stiffness (8.5–9.5 GPa). The hardness increases within the exocuticle between the surface region (130 MPa) and the region close to the interface to the endocuticle (270 MPa). In the endocuticle, which is characterized by a much coarser twisted plywood structure, both the stiffness (3–4.5 GPa) and hardness (30–55 MPa) are much smaller than in the exocuticle. The transition in mechanical properties and structure between the exocuticle and endocuticle is abrupt. The differences underline the important role of the internal structure of the twisted plywood structure and of the interface between the two cuticle layers for the overall mechanical behavior of the exoskeleton. The excellent mechanical stability of the interface (irrespective of the change in the mechanical properties) is attributed to the fact that the structural change of the twisted plywood pattern across the interface consists only of a change of the stacking density of the chitin–protein layers. The observed gradients in stiffness and hardness through the cuticle thickness are interpreted in terms of honeycomb mechanics of the twisted plywood structure. The possible role of gradients in protein cross-linking and in the mineral content is also discussed.