Materials, Vol. 13, Pages 389: Study on the Mechanical Properties of Bionic Protection and Self-Recovery Structures (Materials)

A novel protective structure, based on shrimp chela structure and the shape of odontodactylus scyllarus, has been shown to improve impact resistance and energy absorption. A finite element model of NiTi alloy with shape memory was constructed based on the basic principles of structural bionics. The protective structure utilizes NiTi alloy as the matrix, a material with many advantages including excellent compression energy absorption, reusability after unloading, and long life. The mechanical properties of the single-layer model were obtained by static crushing experiments and numerical simulations. Building upon the idea of the monolayer bionic structure design, a two-layer structure is also conceived. Both single-layer and double-layer structures have excellent compression energy absorption and self-recovery capabilities. Compared with the single-layer structure, the double-layer structure showed larger compression deformation and exhibited better energy absorption capacity. These results have important academic and practical significance for improving the impact resistance of protective armor. Our study makes it possible to repair automatic rebounds under the action of pressure load and improves the endurance and material utilization rate of other protective structures.