| AVS 64th International Symposium & Exhibition | |
| Applied Surface Science Division | Thursday Sessions |
| Session AS-ThP |
| Session: | Applied Surface Science Poster Session |
| Presenter: | Gerry Hammer, University of Washington |
| Authors: | G.E. Hammer, University of Washington S. Murcia, University of Washington E. Lavoie, University of Washington L.J. Gamble, University of Washington D. Arola, University of Washington D.G. Castner, University of Washington |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
Fish scales are one example of a biological structure that provides physical protection without restricting the flexibility or mobility of the bearer. These types of structures are often complex composites and have attracted interest in the field of biomimetics, including the areas of personal armor and protective equipment. Elasmoid fish scales consist of mineral and organic materials, including hydroxyapatite, calcium carbonate and collagen fibers. Scales from pirarucu (Arapaima gigas), tarpon (Megalops atlanticus), and carp (Cyprinus carpio) were fixed, dehydrated, mounted in epoxy and microtomed to expose cross-sections. These sections were analyzed using ESCA and SEM to determine the composite structure and characterize the variations in composition through the scale thickness. ESCA images were obtained for a qualitative evaluation, and spectra from small area analyses provided information for a complementary quantitative analysis. The collagen fibers in the pirarucu were stacked in plys with a rotation angle of 90° between them, while in the tarpon and carp the rotation angle was 75° between successive plys. ESCA images and small area analyses showed the changes in composition between the mineralized limiting layer (LL), the mineral reinforced collagen fibers of the extenal elasmodine (EE) layer, and the collagen fibers of the internal elasmodine (IE) layer.