Regensburg 2010 – scientific programme
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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik
BP 5: Posters: Biopolymers and Biomaterials
BP 5.38: Poster
Monday, March 22, 2010, 17:15–20:00, Poster B1
Structural organization and mineral distribution in load-bearing exoskeleton parts of the edible crab Cancer pagurus — Katja Huemer1, Simone Karsten2, Keerthika Balasundaram2, Dierk Raabe2, •Sabine Hild1, and Helge-Otto Fabritius2 — 1Department of Polymer Science, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenbergerstraße 69, 4040 Linz, Austria — 2Department Microstructure Physics and Metal Forming, Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung, Max-Planck-Strasse 1, 40237 Düsseldorf, Germany
The exoskeleton of crustaceans is a structural entity formed by the cuticle. It is a hierarchically organized chitin-protein fiber based nanocomposite, organized in form of a twisted plywood that can be reinforced in the load-bearing parts with both crystalline and amorphous biominerals. During evolution, all parts of the exoskeleton were optimized to fulfill different functions according to the different ecophysiological strains faced by the animals. This is mainly achieved by modifications in microstructure and chemical composition. To understand the relationship between structure, composition, mechanical properties and function we characterized the carapace cuticle of the edible crab Cancer pagurus with light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), confocal mikro-Raman spectroscopy and nanoindentation tests. The results show local differences in structure and mineralization on the fiber level as well as the twisted plywood level resulting in a pronounced gradient of the reduced elastic modulus throughout the carapace cuticle of C. pagurus.