J-integral evaluation of PA6 nanocomposite with improved toughness

Polyamide 6/montmorillonite nanocomposite (NC) containing fine ethylene-co-methyl acrylate inclusions represents a system with significant toughness enhancement accompanied by only slight decrease in stiffness. Evaluation of NC behavior using a fracture mechanics concept (J-integral) has shown that the synergistic influence of fine rubber particles and clay affects fracture behavior at low clay content.