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Reptilian Skin as a Biomimetic Analogue for the Design of Deterministic Tribosurfaces

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Biomimetics -- Materials, Structures and Processes

Part of the book series: Biological and Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering ((BIOMEDICAL))

Abstract

A major concern in designing tribosystems is to minimize friction, save energy, and to reduce wear. Satisfying these requirements depends on the integrity of the rubbing surface and its suitability to sliding conditions. As such, designers currently focus on constructing surfaces that are an integral part of the function of the tribosystem. Inspirations for such constructs come from studying natural systems and from implementing natural design rules. One species that may serve as an analogue for design is the Ball Python. This is because such a creature doesn’t sustain much damage while depending on legless locomotion when sliding against various surfaces, many of which are deemed tribologically hostile. Resistance to damage in this case originates from surface design features. As such, studying these features and how do they contribute to the control of friction and wear is very attractive for design purposes. In this chapter, we apply a multiscale surface characterization approach to study surface design features of the Python regius that are beneficial to design high-quality lubricating surfaces (such as those obtained through plateau honing). To this end, we studied topographical features by SEM and through white light interferrometery. We further probe the roughness of the surface on multiscale and as a function of location within the body. The results are used to draw a comparison to metrological features of commercial cylinder liners obtained by plateau honing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Arts et Métier Paris Tech, Rue Saint Dominique, 508, 51006, Chalons-en-Champagne Cedex, France

    H. A. Abdel-Aal

Authors
  1. H. A. Abdel-Aal
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  2. M. El Mansori
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to H. A. Abdel-Aal .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Zentagasse 38/1, Wien, 1050, Austria

    Petra Gruber

  2. Inst. Computertechnik, TU Wien, Gusshausstr. 27-29, Wien, 1040, Austria

    Dietmar Bruckner

  3. E202 Institut für Mechanik der, Werkstoffe und Strukturen, TU Wien, Karlsplatz 13, Wien, 1040, Austria

    Christian Hellmich

  4. Institut für Hochbau und Technologie, TU Wien, Wiedner Hauptstr. 8-10, Wien, 1040, Austria

    Heinz-Bodo Schmiedmayer

  5. USTEM, TU Wien, Getreidemarkt 9, Wien, 1060, Austria

    Herbert Stachelberger

  6. , Institut für Angewandte Physik, Technische Universität Wien, Wiedner Hauptstrasse 8-10/134, Wien, 1040, Austria

    Ille C. Gebeshuber

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© 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Abdel-Aal, H.A., Mansori, M.E. (2011). Reptilian Skin as a Biomimetic Analogue for the Design of Deterministic Tribosurfaces. In: Gruber, P., Bruckner, D., Hellmich, C., Schmiedmayer, HB., Stachelberger, H., Gebeshuber, I. (eds) Biomimetics -- Materials, Structures and Processes. Biological and Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-11934-7_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-11934-7_4

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-11933-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-11934-7

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