Brittle–ductile transitions and the toughening mechanism in paraffin/organo-clay nanocomposites

摘要: Abstract Tensile properties for paraffin wax and a nanocomposite produced with 2 wt.% Cloisite ® 20A were measured within the temperature range of 10 to 30 °C. Young's modulus maximum stress are significantly greater at 10 °C than those pure wax. Values both materials decrease increasing converge where little difference exists as enters series plastic crystalline states. Large enhancements in ductility these nanocomposites reported previously shown be consequence their brittle–ductile transition temperatures. Reduced crystallite size was observed via polarized optical microscopy X-ray diffraction transmission electron demonstrate preferred alignments lamellae organo-clay platelets under strain. Results indicate that combination proximity mesophases influence on morphology fracture mechanism account high ambient conditions.