Study on Mechanical Properties of Barbed Contact Metamaterials

Inspired by the differences in the barbed structures of some plant stems and cat tongues in different directions, a reusable and easy-to-recover barbed metamaterial was designed, with its mechanical properties analyzed theoretically and numerically. The results show that, in the reciprocating motion of the barbs, when the barb rectangular section sizes are 1 mm × 1 mm, the length is 20 mm, and the angle with the vertical direction is 60°, the maximum reaction force in the forward contact process with the blocking rib will be about 20 times of the maximum reaction force in the reverse contact process, and the former energy consumption is about 200 times of the latter. With the decrease of the angle between the barb and the vertical direction, the barb structure will exhibit a higher energy absorption capacity and a reduced energy requirement for recovery. Similarly, with the increase of the barb length, the structure energy absorption will be lower and the energy required for recovery will reduce. These characteristics indicate that, the structure possesses excellent impact resistance and energy absorption capacity. Structures with significant energy disparities between forward and backward motions are more easily recoverable, and the energy absorption efficiency can be enhanced by carefully designing the angles and lengths of the barbs.