Influence of microstructure on deformation anisotropy of mineralized cuticle from the lobster Homarus americanus

The exoskeleton of the American lobster Homarus americanus is a hierarchically organized nano-composite material consisting of organic chitin–protein fibers associated with inorganic calcium carbonate. The presence of a well-developed and periodically arranged pore canal system leads to a honeycomb-like structure. The concomitant presence of the twisted plywood arrangement of the mineralized chitin–protein fibers alters the elastic properties, the deformation behavior, and fracture behavior compared to classical honeycomb structures. By performing compression tests in various directions of the cuticle we examined the anisotropic elastic–plastic deformation and fracture behavior of mineralized parts of the exoskeleton. By applying digital image correlation during compression testing, the evolution of the elastic–plastic deformation at the microscopic scale was observed with high resolution and simultaneously global stress and strain data were acquired. Shear tests were performed in order to determine the fracture energy for different shear planes and directions. The investigation of the microstructure after plastic deformation revealed the underlying deformation mechanisms of lobster endocuticle from the claws under different loading conditions. For evaluating the effect of hydration the samples were tested both in the dry and in the wet state.