ABSTRACT
We investigated the structure and mechanical properties of the hyper-mineralized hammer-like dactyl clubs of the stomatopods, a group of highly aggressive marine crustaceans. Our analysis has revealed that their structure consists of a multi-phase composite of oriented crystalline hydroxyapatite and amorphous calcium phosphate and carbonate, in conjunction with a highly expanded helicoidal organization of the fibrillar chitinous organic matrix. We have fabricated biomimetic engineering composites with impact resistance that surpass the performance of quasi-isotropic composites found in many large commercial aircraft.
