Size effect on the compressive mechanical properties of pearl with “brick-mortar” structure

Abstract

Abstract The size dependence of four different diameters of pearls with “brick-mortar” structure was studied by uniaxial compression experiments. The results show that the failure of pearls with different diameters under the compressive load is not complete brittleness, but has a certain toughness. The maximum failure load and compressive strength of pearls cannot be considered as constants, which have a significant size dependence. The maximum failure load increases with the increase of pearl diameter, and the compressive strength decreases with the increase of pearl diameter. In addition, the compressive strength of pearls with different diameters conforms to the Weibull statistical law. When the compression fracture probability is 50%, the compressive strength of pearls with different diameters shows a significant size effect, and pearls with smaller diameters have greater compressive strength.