Mechanical and Frictional Properties of the Elytra of Five Species of Beetles  

作　　者：Min Yu Ilja Hermann Zhendong Dai Norm Gitis 

机构地区：[1]Institute of Bio-inspired Structure and Surface Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronauties and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, P. R. China [2]Bruker Nano Inc. 1717 Dell Ave., Campbell, CA 95008, USA

出　　处：《Journal of Bionic Engineering》2013年第1期77-83,共7页仿生工程学报（英文版）

基　　金：The authors acknowledge financial support from the National Nature Science Foundation of China

摘　　要：The mechanical and frictional properties of different parts of the elytra of five species of beetle were measured using a nano-indenter and a micro-tribometer. The surface microstructures of the elytra were observed by optical microscopy and scanning white light interferometry. The surface microstructures of the elytra of all five species are characterized as non-smooth concavo-convex although specific morphological differences demonstrate the diversity of beetle elytra. Young＇s modulus and the hardness of the elytral materials vary with the species of beetle and the sampling locations, ranging from 1.80 GPa to 12.44 GPa, and from 0.24 GPa to 0.75 GPa, respectively. In general, both the Young＇s modulus and the hardness are lower in samples taken from the center of the elytra than those taken from other regions, which reflects the functional heterogeneity of biological material in the process of biological evolution. The elytra have very low friction coefficient, ranging from 0.037 to 0.079, which is related to their composition and morphology. Our measurements indicate that the surface texture and its mi- crostructural size of beetle elytra contribute to anti-friction effects.The mechanical and frictional properties of different parts of the elytra of five species of beetle were measured using a nano-indenter and a micro-tribometer. The surface microstructures of the elytra were observed by optical microscopy and scanning white light interferometry. The surface microstructures of the elytra of all five species are characterized as non-smooth concavo-convex although specific morphological differences demonstrate the diversity of beetle elytra. Young＇s modulus and the hardness of the elytral materials vary with the species of beetle and the sampling locations, ranging from 1.80 GPa to 12.44 GPa, and from 0.24 GPa to 0.75 GPa, respectively. In general, both the Young＇s modulus and the hardness are lower in samples taken from the center of the elytra than those taken from other regions, which reflects the functional heterogeneity of biological material in the process of biological evolution. The elytra have very low friction coefficient, ranging from 0.037 to 0.079, which is related to their composition and morphology. Our measurements indicate that the surface texture and its mi- crostructural size of beetle elytra contribute to anti-friction effects.

关 键 词：beetle elytra BIO-TRIBOLOGY surface morphology mechanical properties 

分 类 号：TH117.1[机械工程—机械设计及理论] S763.38[农业科学—森林保护学]