Abstract: A composite material comprises a multitude of carbon nanotubes, where the majority of the carbon nanotubes have an aspect ratio of at least 25, and are connected to at least one other carbon nanotube using a multitude of weak links. The multitude of weak links provide tensile strengths similar to that of covalent links, utilizing high aspect ratio and high strength of individual carbon nanotubes. Weak links include hydrogen bonds, metallocene bonds, ionic bonds and/or electrostatic forces. One or more metal ions, such as chromium ion, are used to create the metallocene bonds directly between two carbon nanotubes. One or more carbon nanotubes may be functionalized with one or more side chain groups.