stratach

Stratach is a fictional material described in science fiction and speculative design as a laminated, layered composite. The name blends strata, meaning layers, with a suffix suggesting strength or durability.

It consists of alternating thin layers of brittle ceramic and ductile polymer or metal, produced to align in a chosen orientation. This stratified microstructure yields high stiffness along the plane of the layers and improved energy absorption perpendicular to them, providing strong impact resistance and damage tolerance. Depending on the materials chosen, stratach may also exhibit thermal stability and resistance to radiation.

Fabrication involves sequential deposition and curing, or roll-to-roll lamination, with careful control to prevent delamination. Realistic challenges include manufacturing cost, scale, interlayer bonding, moisture sensitivity, and long-term aging. The performance benefits depend on precise control of layer thickness, interface quality, and alignment.

In fiction, stratach is portrayed as a protective hull material for spacecraft, armored exosuits, or building facades in hazardous environments; in speculative engineering discussions, it is considered as a potential alternative to conventional composites for enhanced impact protection and selective stiffness. As a concept, stratach sits at the intersection of laminated composites and hypothetical stratified materials, illustrating how layered architectures can influence mechanical behavior.

See also: laminated composite, nacre, stratified structures.