Survey of relations of chemical constituents in polymer-based materials with brittleness and its associated properties
The property of brittleness for polymers and polymer-based materials (PBMs) is an important factor in determining the potential uses of a material. Brittleness of polymers may also impact the ease and modes of polymer processing, thereby affecting economy of production. Brittleness of PBMs can be correlated with certain other properties and features of polymers; to name a few, connections to free volume, impact strength, and scratch recovery have been explored. A common thread among all such properties is their relationship to chemical composition and morphology.