Mechanophore cross-linking enhances ballistic energy dissipation of polymers (opens in new tab)

Mechanical failure is a marked limitation for plastics used in structural, protective and coating applications. In particular, perforation under high-rate deformation is difficult to mitigate through conventional molecular design1,2. Cross-linking is widely used to improve the thermal and chemical stability of polymers, yet under mechanical deformation, it typically renders materials more brittle, limiting impact resistance and functional lifetime3. Overcoming this fundamental trade-off betwe...