Toughening elastomers via microstructured thermoplastic fibers with sacrificial bonds and hidden lengths

Soft materials capable of large inelastic deformation play an essential role in high-performance nacre-inspired architectured with a combination stiffness, strength and toughness. The rigid “building blocks” made from glass or ceramic these lack capabilities thus rely on the soft interface material that bonds together building blocks to achieve high Here, we demonstrate concept achieving energy dissipation by embedding microstructured thermoplastic fibers sacrificial hidden lengths widely used elastomer. are fabricated harnessing fluid-mechanical instability molten polycarbonate (PC) thread commercial 3D printer. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) resin is infiltrated around fibers, creating composite after curing. failure mechanism damage tolerance analyzed through fracture tests. found be related multiple events both elastomer matrix. Combining straight results ∼17 times increase stiffness ∼7 total compared neat Our findings applying toughening at microscopic scale will facilitate development novel bioinspired laminated mechanical performance.