Bio-inspirations for the Development of Light Materials based on the Nanomechanical Properties and Microstructures of Beetle Dynastes tityus

Dynastes tityus (D. tityus) is a typical beetle whose elytra are light and strong. The primary function of elytra is to protect beetle’s hindwings. In this paper, D. tityus elytra were selected as the biological prototype for the investigation to obtain bio-inspirations for the design and development of light materials with high ratio of strength to mass. Firstly, the microstructure investigation and quasi-static nanoindentation tests have been carried out on the ten samples of the selected elytra of D. tityus to reveal their mechanical properties and microstructures. Secondly, based on the findings from the microstructure investigation and nanoindentation tests, three models of bio-inspired materials have been proposed for further study to gain the deep understanding of the relationships between the special mechanical characteristics and microstructures. Then Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulations have been performed on the three models for harvesting the bio-inspirations for the initial design of light materials. Finally, through comparative analysis of the findings from the microstructure investigation, the nanoindentation tests and the simulations, some meaningful bio-inspirations have been reaped for the future optimization of the design and development of light materials with high ratio of strength to mass.