The unusual mechanical response of Ti3SiC2 can be attributed to the fact that basal slip, and only basal slip, is operative at all temperatures. In other words, like ice, graphite, and mica, it is very plastically anisotropic. Consequently, its mechanical response is quite anisotropic. The stress is accommodated by the formation of incipient and regular kink bands within individual grains, which in turn can result in room-temperature ductility.This ductility, however, is only manifested when the grains are large and oriented. Given the extreme anisotropic plasticity of Ti3SiC2, it is not unreasonable to assume that highly oriented microstructures could lead to significant enhancements in the mechanical properties in general and the high temperature creep properties in particular.