Fracture behavior of hydroxyapatite nanofibers in dental enamel under micropillar compression

Understanding the structure–property relations of load-bearing natural materials can provide design strategies for the generation of bio-inspired materials showing enhanced mechanical properties. Dental enamel is a highly damage-tolerant biological nanocomposite having a high mineral content. Its hierarchical structure consists of hydroxyapatite nanofibers enveloped by proteins on the smallest length scale. In this work, we show the fracture behavior of nanofibers in enamel by conducting micropillar compression tests. The evaluation and the result of the mechanical properties are discussed.