Structure/mechanical behavior relationships in crossed-lamellar sea shells

This study aims at investigating the influence of the adhesive organic phase upon the macroscopic mechanical properties in a sea shell (Solen marginatus). In this work the mechanical properties of those systems are measured in different conditions: wet state, dry state and with the organic phase removed. A clear crossed-lamellar morphology was observed in the fresh shell. The drying (loss of water) did not influence the microstructure but caused a substantial decrease in stiffness. The extraction of the organic phase by calcination changed severely the microstructure and decrease significantly the strength and the work of fracture of the specimens.