Homogenizing chain tensions to extend the lifetime of soft materials

Durability—the resistance to both fracture and degradation—is critical for the long-term performance of soft materials and a sustainable society. Fracture resistance of soft materials is typically enhanced through energy dissipation via the rupture of sacrificial chemical or physical networks. These dissipation processes inevitably introduce internal damage, compromising resistance to degradation and fundamentally limiting material lifetime. Here, we report a universal strategy to achieve exceptional durability and ultralong operation lifetimes in soft materials by enhancing fracture resistance through an elastic mechanism without bond scission. Specifically, we design an elastic supramolecular sponge (ESS) that self-assemble, uniformly disperse, and interlink with polymer networks. Upon stretch, ESSs deform adaptively and selectively in response to tension on polymer chains, homogenizing the tension. Consequently, fracture strength, toughness, and fatigue threshold are simultaneously increased without compromising elasticity. For example, 90% of strength retains over 100,000 cycles, which is a 100-fold increase over conventional elastomers. Our strategy is applicable across diverse materials and enables rapid fabrication of durable 3D architectures. Our work offers a viable pathway to improving the long-term durability and extending lifetimes of soft materials, providing a basis for designing more sustainable polymer systems.