| Abstract Scope |
Highly mineralized biological materials, like nacre and enamel, possess unique microstructures that enhance toughness. Their superior fracture resistance arises from the near-perfect stacking of their anisotropic building blocks. Inspired by these natural designs, researchers have attempted to create synthetic materials with similar properties. However, synthetic composites have yet to show the same level of delocalized damage during fracture. This study tests if such damage delocalisation requires highly ordered structures. We synthesized mono-dispersed colloidal silica rods using a sol-gel process and assembled them into densely packed colloidal crystals of up to centimeter in size. Resin infiltration of these crystals produced highly textured composites. Our findings reveal that controlling the shape, monodispersity, and assembly of anisotropic powders improves mechanical responses by introducing branching, deflection, and delocalized damage. Additionally, these composites are fabricated at near-room temperature, suggesting a potential for producing tough materials under milder conditions. |