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Comparison of nacre with other ceramic composites

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Abstract

Mother-of-pearl, the highly filled ceramic composite of mollusc shell, is compared with other, less highly filled, artificial ceramics. Stiffness is fairly simply related to volume fraction of ceramic, but no model seems to be adequate to describe this relationship. Strength, stress-intensity factor and the work of fracture are also dependent on the ceramic content but in a much more complex manner. Nacre has the highest value for all these parameters.

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Author notes

  1. A. P. Jackson

    Present address: Smith & Nephew Research Ltd, Gilston Park, CM20 2RQ, Harlow, Essex, UK

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biomechanics Group, Department of Pure and Applied Zoology, The University, Whiteknights, P.O. Box 228, RG6 2QN, Reading, UK

    A. P. Jackson & J. F. V. Vincent

  2. ICI plc, Wilton Materials Research Centre, P.O. Box 90, TS6 8JE, Wilton, Middlesborough, UK

    R. M. Turner

Authors
  1. A. P. Jackson
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  2. J. F. V. Vincent
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  3. R. M. Turner
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Jackson, A.P., Vincent, J.F.V. & Turner, R.M. Comparison of nacre with other ceramic composites. J Mater Sci 25, 3173–3178 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00587670

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00587670

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