Halloysite Nanotubes Filled in Asymmetric Blend of Polyamide 6, 12/poly (Ethylene‐Octene) Elastomer: Tough‐to‐Brittle Transition in Nanocomposites

Summary A tough‐to‐brittle transition is distinctly observed with a critical correspondence to dispersed phase domain size in halloysite nanotubes filled ternary nanocomposites based on compositionally asymmetric and toughened blend of polyamide 6, 12 (PA‐6, 12)/poly(ethylene‐octene) copolymer‐g‐maleic anhydride (POE‐g‐MA) as the matrix. The maxima in the resistance to fracture initiation and crack propagation resistance normalized fracture initiation as a measure of toughness followed by a significant drop with a direct correspondence to brittleness‐index (BI), comprehensively establishes such a transition. Microscopically a smooth transition in the deformation mechanism above a domain‐size ( D n ) of ∼0.43 μm with an intrinsic brittleness‐index (BI) of ∼0.57 (×10 12  Pa −1 ) seem to be responsible for the same.