Figure 7: Mechanical tests on 3D printed samples mimicking the spike cuticle. (A) Blunt penetration and (B) 3-point-bending load-displacement curves of samples with and without the plywood connecting the monolithic brittle layer to the parallel fiber anisotropic region. Snapshots of sample deformation and failure behavior during mechanical testing are given in (C) and (D). Scale bars: 1 cm. * denotes crack deflection. Details of sample geometry, fiber architecture and testing configuration are also shown (H= 4 cm, W= 3cm, L= 20cm, h=1.5 cm, s= 16 cm, d= 0.1 cm, rotation angle between fiber beds γ is 18°).