The secret, apparently, lies not in the strength of the materials within the scale – all of which are, individually, weaker than plastic – but in their architecture, and specifically in the way their shape gradually fails. Their results were remarkable – the scales stood up to the abuse far better than the plastics that have been specifically engineered for the purpose (their applications include CD cases, biomedical equipment, and safety goggles). Then, the researchers went to work, attempting to puncture both the scale specimens and theĮquivalent polystyrene and polycarbonate samples using a sharpened steel needle (apparently, the needle simulates the shape of tooth that a striped bass would be forced to deal with in the wild). They were plucked and shaped into consistent test specimens. The scales came from, as you might expect, a fish – a fresh striped bass, to be precise, bought whole from Nature’s Catch Inc., of Clarksdale, USA. The group, led by Professor Francois Barthelat of McGill University, found that the scales offered better puncture protection than an equivalent plastic layer, and they suggest that their design could inspire new high-performance protective materials. Image: /nilsrinaldi / CC BY 2.0įish could be on the materials menu if a group of North American researchers have their way: they’ve found teleost fish scales to be stronger than the common protective polymers polystyrene and polycarbonate. Fish aren’t just for eating their scales could also act as an excellent protective material, say a group of researchers.

What is the purposes of scales on fish