Researchers from the University of Portsmouth have found that the material that makes up the teeth of small aquatic snails known as limpets may be the strongest natural material on Earth.

Using atomic force microscopy to look at the mechanical behavior of the teeth, researchers discovered the material the teeth are made out of was even stronger than spider webs, previously thought to be the strongest material.

“Until now we thought that spider silk was the strongest biological material because of its super-strength and potential applications in everything from bullet-proof vests to computer electronics, but now we have discovered that limpet teeth exhibit a strength that is potentially higher,” says Professor Asa Barber from the University’s School of Engineering, who led the study.

The researchers also found that the mechanical properties and design of limpet teeth could be replicated by engineers for structures and materials that require extreme resilience.

“This discovery means that the fibrous structures found in limpet teeth could be mimicked and used in high-performance engineering applications such as Formula 1 racing cars, the hulls of boats and aircraft structures,” Barber says.

Researchers credit the teeth's unique properties to the hard mineral goethite. Unlike most other structures, limpet teeth maintain uniform strength, no matter what size they are.

“Generally a big structure has lots of flaws and can break more easily than a smaller structure, which has fewer flaws and is stronger,” says Barber. The problem is that most structures have to be fairly so they inherently are less strong. Limpet teeth, by contrast, break this rule as their strength is the same no matter what the size.

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