A multilayer composite comprising: a plurality of adjacent filler layers comprising a filler material dispersed within a first polymeric matrix, the filler material comprising at least one of carbon fibers, boron fibers, glass fibers, silicon carbide fibers, ceramic fibers, aramid fibers, and cellulose fibers; and a plurality of intervening-layers disposed between the adjacent filler layers, said intervening-layers comprising nanoplatelets dispersed within a second polymeric matrix, wherein at least one of the plurality of intervening-layers is disposed between each of the adjacent filler layers and said adjacent filler layers are free of nanoplatelets; wherein said nanoplatelets are aligned substantially parallel to the adjacent filler layers, wherein said nanoplatelets include a central portion and a periphery, and the nanoplatelets are oriented in a first layer of nanoplatelets and a second layer of nanoplatelets disposed in a generally parallel relationship with the nanoplatelets disposed in the first layer being oriented in an overlapping relationship with the nanoplatelets disposed in the second layer such that the periphery of the nanoplatelets disposed in the first layer overlap the central portion of the nanoplatelets disposed in the second layer; wherein the intervening-layers fail upon application of a force to the multilayer composite, said failure inducing at least partial delamination of the multilayer composite; characterized in that at least one of a percentage by weight of nanoplatelets, an average thickness of the nanoplatelets, and an average aspect ratio of the nanoplatelets of at least one of the plurality of intervening-layers is different than the other of the plurality of intervening-layers; and in that at least one of the plurality of intervening-layers fails at a different force than the other of the plurality of intervening-layers. a plurality of adjacent filler layers comprising a filler material dispersed within a first polymeric matrix, the filler material comprising at least one of carbon fibers, boron fibers, glass fibers, silicon carbide fibers, ceramic fibers, aramid fibers, and cellulose fibers; and a plurality of intervening-layers disposed between the adjacent filler layers, said intervening-layers comprising nanoplatelets dispersed within a second polymeric matrix, wherein at least one of the plurality of intervening-layers is disposed between each of the adjacent filler layers and said adjacent filler layers are free of nanoplatelets; wherein said nanoplatelets are aligned substantially parallel to the adjacent filler layers, wherein said nanoplatelets include a central portion and a periphery, and the nanoplatelets are oriented in a first layer of nanoplatelets and a second layer of nanoplatelets disposed in a generally parallel relationship with the nanoplatelets disposed in the first layer being oriented in an overlapping relationship with the nanoplatelets disposed in the second layer such that the periphery of the nanoplatelets disposed in the first layer overlap the central portion of the nanoplatelets disposed in the second layer; wherein the intervening-layers fail upon application of a force to the multilayer composite, said failure inducing at least partial delamination of the multilayer composite; characterized in that at least one of a percentage by weight of nanoplatelets, an average thickness of the nanoplatelets, and an average aspect ratio of the nanoplatelets of at least one of the plurality of intervening-layers is different than the other of the plurality of intervening-layers; and in that at least one of the plurality of intervening-layers fails at a different force than the other of the plurality of intervening-layers. <EOS>