From Nature to Engineering: Mortar Volume and Interfacial Mechanics in Bioinspired Ceramics

Natural armors such as nacre inspire the development of bioinspired ceramics due to their exceptional toughness and damage tolerance. This study examines the influence of mortar volume fraction on the interfacial mechanics of bioinspired ceramic composites using single lap joint specimens with varying soft‐layer (mortar) volumes: low mortar volume (LMV, 3%), medium mortar volume (MMV, 6%), and high mortar volume (HMV, 9%). These fractions reflect natural nacre's mortar content and are precisely controlled during specimen fabrication. Experimental results demonstrate adhesive failure as the dominant mode, with increased mortar content enhancing maximum elongation without altering ultimate shear strength. Finite element analysis using ABAQUS and a cohesive zone model reveal mortar volume's significant effect on interfacial sliding behavior and strain energy release rate (SERR). Specifically, compared to MMV, LMV exhibits a 5% increase in interfacial stiffness and a 26% reduction in SERR, while HMV shows a 4% stiffness decrease and a 29% increase in SERR. The increased mortar content delays crack initiation and extends the plastic deformation phase, thereby enhancing energy dissipation capabilities. These findings inform the development of tougher, damage‐resistant ceramic composites for engineering by optimizing mortar volume in bioinspired ceramics.