Short review on architectured materials with topological interlocking mechanisms

Abstract

Architectured materials have attracted much attention in recent years because the specific micro-nano structure and material combinations of architectured materials can lead to very high-performance structures. Topological interlocking material (TIM), as one type of dense architectured materials, shows outstanding performances in mechanical properties such as stiffness, strength, and toughness. The mechanical properties of TIM can be tunable by changing the size and shape of individual building blocks. In this review, we present the design principles underlying the TIM, the mechanical performance of TIM, and recent progress in developing novel TIM.