Researchers from Polytechnique Montreal have developed a 3D-printed fabric that absorbs 96% impact energy without incurring damage.

The material, which researchers report brings the development of unbreakable plastic coverings one step closer, is inspired by spider webs, wherein a web can withstand the impact of an insect collision thanks to its ability to deform through molecular sacrificial links within the silk proteins.

Polycarbonate webs synthesized using additive manufacturing absorb up to 96% of impact energy. Source: Shibo Zou

The team 3D printed a polycarbonate material that is viscous when heated and wove together a series of fibers under 2 mm thick. The team repeated this process, quickly 3D printing additional fibers perpendicularly before the material solidified.

Following extrusion from the 3D printer wherein these fibers are formed, the plastic reportedly produced circles that form a network of loops.

"Once hardened, these loops turn into sacrificial links that give the fiber additional strength. When impact occurs, those sacrificial links absorb energy and break to maintain the fiber's overall integrity — similar to silk proteins," Polytechnique Montreal professor Frédérick Gosselin explained.

This created a network of so-called webs that the research team incorporated into transparent resin plates to mimic a protective screen. Following a series of impact tests, the material dispersed 96% of impact energy without cracking or otherwise breaking.

The research team believes the materials could be used to develop bullet proof glass, durable plastic protective smartphone screens and protective coatings for aircraft engines.

The research appears in the journal Cell Reports Physical Science.