Surface Texture and Mechanical Behavior of Claw Material in Beetle <i>Dorcus titanus</i> (Coleoptera: Lucanidae)

Abstract

Biomaterials have an integrated, hierarchical structure with outstanding mechanical properties which are far beyond those achieved by using the same synthetic materials. nanoindentation techniques have recently been adapted for studying the biological materials. In this paper, the surface texture and nanomechanical properties of claw material in beetle Dorcus titanus were investigated. It is founded that the claw possesses of an optimized shape as well as the non-smooth surface texture with many stripes like as the fullows close to the arc inside. The results of nanoindentation tests indicate that the modulus value of the claw cuticle near the tip (11.25±0.57 GPa) is over three times larger than that near the claw root (3.61±0.22 GPa) and there is an incremental hardness and modulus values from the claw root to the tip. Quantitive measurements on the nanomechanical properties of claw material could help to develop biomimetic materials suitable for industrial products.

Scaling of claw sharpness: mechanical constraints reduce attachment performance in larger insects

“…Claws are an excellent climbing tool, as they can be made from stiff and hard materials (e.g. Bonser, 1996; Schofield et al, 2009; Yang et al, 2014), which reduces wear and allows the generation of large attachment forces (Dai et al, 2002). A key question for understanding claw functioning is, which morphological features are important for claw performance?…”