Mechanical Character of Typica1 Plant Leaf Surfaces

Abstract

The hardness of typical plant leaves surfaces was investigated and analyzed by nano-hardness tester. Results show that the mechanical character of varied texture and varied surface morphologies shows regularity. The hardness of coriaceous fresh leaves (Bambusa phyllostachys pubescens etc.) and ligneous leaves is great. Waxiness leaves′ hardness (such as Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn, Canna indica Linn (generalis) is little. The hardness of convex morphology part is better than that of concave morphology part on non-smooth morphology leaf surfaces. And that the hardness of surface layer is better than that of internal layer in the same leaf. This study may be important biological foundation for design and fabrication of bionic engineering surface and composite materials. Key words: engineering bionic; plant leaf; hardness; mechanical character