Implementing Nanocomposite Technology in the Plastics Industry

Background
In the last 2-3 years one of the most significant technological breakthroughs in the plastics industry is the development of polymer nanocomposites, i.e. plastics resins reinforced with nanosize additives. The most common nanoadditive in nanocomposites research is nanoclay, a nano-size aluminate silicate material. When properly dispersed the clay platelet material swells in the polymer matrix and forms a very strong interaction with the polymer chains to produce a composite matrix with enhanced performance.

Nanoclay has been introduced commercially in some plastics materials and has successfully achieved higher strength-to-weight, thermal, flame and barrier resistance. A small amount of nanoclay filler is required to give enhanced performance, usually 3-5 wt% is adequate.

Other nanoadditives being researched for plastics include carbon nanotubes, nano-calcium carbonate and titanium dioxide.

In what applications will nanocomposites be used?
Currently the main applications for nanocomposite plastics are in the packaging and automotive sectors but applications are widening as R&D progresses. The addition of nanoclay gives stronger lightweight plastics that are less permeable to liquids and gases, more flame retardant and with improved surface properties.

For example, the lifetime of food packaging can be increased, expensive engineering plastics in automotive parts can be replaced with cheaper resins reinforced with nanoadditives, plastic containers can be tailored to store aggressive chemicals not previously possible.

CASE STUDY: Nanocomposite Research for Industry
NANOADDITIVE REINFORCEMENT OF PLASTIC RESINS (NANOADD) NANOADD is a project that was undertaken under the EU Co-operative research scheme in the Fifth Framework (FP5) Growth Programme.

Duration:	The project ran from June 2001 to June 2003 and is now completed. The project cost was 1.08 million euro with EU funding of 540K euro.
Objectives:	The main aims of the NANOADD project were to: develop value added products using nanoadditives demonstrate the improved performance properties of nanocomposite components reduce the financial risk of the SME partners in introducing nanocomposite technology to industry
Partners:	The four SME partners in the consortium are: Gem Plastics Ltd - Ireland Permali Gloucester Ltd - UK Repol S. L. - Spain DOMO Polymers Ghent - Belgium The two RTD partners in the consortium are: Trinity College Dublin (Materials Ireland Polymer Research Centre) - Ireland Thüringische Institut für Textil und Kunststoff-Forschung - Germany