A fastener cartridge can comprise a compressible collapsible and/or crushable cartridge body and fasteners embedded within the cartridge body which can be utilized to fasten tissue. In use the fastener cartridge can be positioned in a first jaw of a surgical fastening device wherein the first jaw can be positioned opposite a second jaw or anvil. The anvil can be engaged with the fastener cartridge to compress collapse and/or crush the cartridge body and deform or otherwise deploy the fasteners contained therein. As the fasteners are deformed or deployed the fasteners can capture at least a portion of the cartridge body therein along with at least a portion of the tissue being fastened. In various embodiments the cartridge body can comprise a plurality of layers comprised of different materials which can apply pressure to the tissue. These different materials can have different stiffnesses and/or spring rates.
