Author(s)

M. Iwamoto, J. Chen, K. Kurashiki & Q.-Q. Ni

Abstract

It is well known that the structure analyses of the organism give some important hints for material development. Flying insect seems to have the contrivance for protection and light weight. Then, to obtain new ideas for the improved composite material, the fore-wing of Allomyrina dichotoma was used, and its mechanical properties, reinforcement mechanism and micro structures were investigated. As a result, Allomyrina dichotoma fore-wing is divided into the upper and lower layer, and the trabecula that connects the upper and lower layer exists. The upper and lower layer is the layered structure of non-isometric composed of chitin fibre and protein. The non-isometric laminated structure and mechanical anisotropy of Allomyrina dichotoma fore-wing were made clear. The fracture processes of the fore-wing could be classified into two types, and their fracture mechanisms depended on the average lamination angle of chitin fibre layers.

Keywords