A Global Analysis of the Mechanical Properties of Organic Glasses Below T_g

Developing a comprehensive understanding of the mechanical properties of organic glasses is essential to fully unlocking their potential as functional materials across various industries. In this systematic study, we report the nanomechanical properties of 12 diverse organic glasses and compare them to the properties of their crystalline counterparts. Our results indicate that distribution of elasticity and hardness in glasses is significantly narrower than that in corresponding crystalline solids, primarily due to the elimination of structural anisotropy. Furthermore, we found that glasses with higher free volume tend to be softer than those with lower free volume. Lastly, we offer a broader perspective on the mechanical properties of organic glasses, highlighting key trends and implications.