Dr. Sushil K. Verma
Director General,
Central Institute of Plastics Engineering & Technology, Chennai
Preamble
Polymer Nanocomposites (PNCs) have been recognized as the next great frontiers of multidisciplinary research activity. The advent of these strong
er, improved nanomaterials has paved the way for their use in high-performance applications. PNCs are finding commercial applications in automotive parts, packaging films, appliances, fire-retardant electrical enclosures, and housings. The total worldwide market for PNCs reached $110 million in 2004. Rising at an AAGR (average annual growth rate) of 18.4%, this market is likely to exceed $210 million in 2008.
The concept of nanocomposites had its origin in the late 1980s at Toyota Central Research Labs in Japan teamed up with Ube Industries Ltd., a Japanese resin supplier, to produce a new composite polymer, consisting of nylon 6 interspersed with layers of montmorillonite, a layered silicate clay. The clay greatly improved the mechanical properties of the nylon with very small filler loading. Toyota subsequently used the material for a timing belt cover, capitalising on the material’s heat resistance and dimensional stability and proving its viability for under-the-hood automotive applications.
The property improvements to PNC include stiffness, barrier to liquids and gases, flame retardancy, electrical conductivity, thermal stability, superior mechanical & optical properties. Several application-specific examples of PNC involving PET, PP, TPE and nylon have been observed. The clay’s structure gives it a unique advantage over other particles. Owing to the nanoscale dimension of exfoli
....contd.
TO READ FURTHER... SUBSCRIBE TO YOUR COPY TODAY!!!
