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Multiscale Mechanics of Eggshell and Shell Membrane

  • Multiscale Experiments and Modeling in Biomaterials and Biological Materials
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Abstract

Eggshell is a target material for biomimicry: a biogenic material that is synthesized quickly under near-ambient conditions, and which has intriguing mechanical properties. Biomineralization in such natural systems utilizes organic molecules, both providing a surface to facilitate heterogeneous mineral nucleation and captured within the deposited mineral. Here, we examined the relationship between calcitic mineralized shell and the organic eggshell membrane. Elastic modulus and hardness of shell, as measured by nanoindentation in cross-section, exhibited approximately constant property values across three egg-laying species. Macro-scale fracture experiments demonstrated the structural importance of the fibrous eggshell membrane, with weak influence on egg fracture force but substantial effect on work of fracture. This effect was different for complete removal of the membrane versus chemical drying. The membrane thus represents a distinct target for improving egg mechanical properties independent of mineral quality.

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Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges funding from the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Army Corps of Engineers, through the International Research Office (London, UK). Some of this work was conducted when the author was a faculty member in the Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, with assistance from David Labonte, H. Burak Caliskan, and Oliver Armitage, and their contributions are gratefully acknowledged.

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  1. Department of Engineering, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27834, USA

    Michelle L. Oyen

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  1. Michelle L. Oyen
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Correspondence to Michelle L. Oyen.

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Oyen, M.L. Multiscale Mechanics of Eggshell and Shell Membrane. JOM 73, 1676–1683 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-021-04690-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-021-04690-2

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