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Microstructure and mechanical property of Ruditapes philippinarum shell
Gang Mu1, Fuhai Duan2, Guochen Zhang3
1School of Mechanical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Linggong Road 2, 116024 Dalian, China; School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Dalian Ocean University, Heishijiao Street 52, 116023 Dalian, China; R&D Center of Fisheries Equipment and Engineering of Liaoning Province, Heishijiao Street 52, 116023 Dalian, China.
Summary
Manila clam shell properties and live clam mechanical tests inform machinery development. Clam age significantly impacts fracture force, crucial for mechanization to preserve clam integrity.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Marine Biology
Background:
- The Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) is a commercially important species.
- Understanding clam shell mechanics is vital for developing efficient dredging and processing machinery.
- Previous research has not fully characterized the mechanical properties of the clam shell and live clam responses to mechanical stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the microstructure, phase composition, and mechanical properties (microhardness, nanoindentation hardness, elastic modulus) of the Manila clam shell.
- To evaluate the quasi-static and orthogonal compression behavior of live Manila clams under different loading conditions.
- To provide essential data for the design of machinery used in clam harvesting and processing.
Main Methods:
- Microstructural analysis of shell layers (outer, middle, inner).
- X-ray diffraction (XRD) for phase composition analysis.
- Microhardness and nanoindentation tests to determine hardness (H) and elastic modulus (E).
- Quasi-static compression tests on live clams in three orientations (X, Y, Z).
- Orthogonal compression tests to assess fracture force variations.
Main Results:
- The clam shell comprises three distinct layers with composite prismatic, crossed-lamellar, and homogeneous structures, all composed of aragonite.
- The inner shell layer exhibits higher microhardness (~3.00 GPa) than the outer and middle layers.
- Shell hardness and elastic modulus vary between sections parallel and perpendicular to growth lines, with H/E ratios around 0.05.
- Live clam compressive strength differs by loading orientation, with the Z-orientation (beak vertical) showing the lowest strength (153 N at 50% fracture probability).
- Clam age is a more significant factor (p < 0.01) than loading orientation or speed in determining fracture force (100-400 N).
Conclusions:
- The mechanical properties of the Manila clam shell are layer- and orientation-dependent.
- Live clam fracture force is highly sensitive to age, necessitating age consideration in processing machinery design.
- The findings provide critical reference data for optimizing clam production mechanization to minimize damage and ensure survival.
Keywords:
Fracture forceManila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum)MicrohardnessNanoindentationPhase compositionShell microstructureMore Related Videos
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