Nanotribology of nacre: Anisotropic dissipation in a multiscale hybrid material

► Nanotribology is investigated on face-on and edge-on sheet nacre Pinctada maxima. ► This type of nacre displays a multiscale structure with two sorts of organic matrix. ► Influence of the matrices' orientation on the frictional dissipated energy is proved. ► Various dissipated energy's levels are observed as a function of the involved matrix. ► They involve, either multiscale wear processes or irreversible deformations instead.