[nanoPost] Reinforcement of polymeric resin with nanoclay platelets resulting in lightweight ma

University USA

Reinforcement of polymeric resin with nanoclay platelets has resulted in lightweight materials with enhanced mechanical and thermal properties. The selection of clay as reinforcing material is extremely appealing because of cost, high thermal inertness, and environmentally friendly characteristics. One of the major roadblocks in the wider use of nanoclay platelets in thermoset and thermoplastic polymeric materials has been the poor dispersion of polar clay into a non-polar polymer matrix. It is believed that consistent improvements in properties of clay loaded polymeric system can be achieved by minimizing clay aggregation, promoting the formation of chemical bonds between polymer and clay and achieving exfoliation of clay. The general expectation is that chemical coupling the functionalized clay sheets and the polymer can yield potential benefits of reinforcing nanofiller.
Polymer-layered silicate nanocomposites have experienced an important development over the past ten years in laboratories across the world. A wide range of layered silicates, compatibilising agents and polymers has been successfully used in the synthesis of nanocomposites and new methods of synthesis directly applicable in industry such as the melt intercalation process have been developed. The substantial improvements in mechanical and physical properties brought by polymer-layered silicate nanocomposites may widen the use of polymers in industry. Their improved mechanical and thermal properties might extend the use of polymers for under-the- hood applications in the automotive industry. Their excellent barrier properties combined with good transparency make them ideal for packing applications.
Under development in the Polymer Group are next generation aerospace composites. There is also potential for applications in containers for the long-term storage of spent nuclear fuel, and high, intermediate and low-level radioactive wastes, using polymer-based nanocomposite materials for the fabrication of the