Characterization of failure of single carbon nanotube fibers under extreme transverse loading

•Capture the real-time failure processes of single 10-μm carbon nanotube fibers under transverse cut at different loading rates.•Quantify the carbon nanotube fibers' energy dissipation, dispersion, and cutting resistance.•Report the higher dynamic transverse cutting resistance of carbon nanotube fibers than other high-performance fibers.•Reveal the fundamental failure mechanism of single fibers under extreme transverse loading and illustrate the application in the design of textiles and composites in harsh environments.