Key Features of Nanocomposites
Key Benefits of Nanocomposites:
* Increase mechanical properties (increased strength, Moduli).
* Increased thermal resistance.
* Equivalent or better properties with less filler.
* Lower density.
* Easier process ability.
* Unique properties.
* Increase chemical resistance
Advantages of Nanocomposites:
Mechanical properties e.g. strength, modulus and dimensional stability
• Decreased permeability to gases, water and hydrocarbons
• Thermal stability and heat distortion temperature
• Flame retardancy and reduced smoke emissions
• Chemical resistance
• Surface appearance
• Electrical conductivity
• Optical clarity in comparison to conventionally filled polymers
Disadvantage of Nanocomposites:
To date one of the few disadvantages associated with nanoparticle incorporation has concerned toughness and impact performance. Some of the data presented has suggested that nanoclay modification of polymers such as polyamides, could reduce impact performance. Clearly this is an issue which would require consideration for applications where impact loading events are likely. In addition, further research will be necessary to, for example, develop a better understanding of formulation/structure/property relationships, better routes to platelet exfoliation and dispersion etc.
Application of nanocomposites:
Barrier
* Film.
* Beverage Containers.
* Fuel tank and Containers.
* Cosmetic Enclosures.
Structural
* Unfilled material application which required improved mechanical properties without sacrificing dimension stability and weight.
* Tubing and Fibre.
Flame Retardant
* Large area parts where reduced heat release is required.
Food packaging
* Film.
* Extrusion coating.
* Bottles/ Containers.
Gas Barriers:
The gaseous barrier property improvement that can result from incorporation of relatively small quantities of nanoclay materials is shown to be substantial. Data provided from various sources indicates oxygen transmission rates for polyamide-organoclay composites which are usually less than half that of the unmodified polymer. Further data reveals the extent to which both the amount of clay incorporated in the polymer, and the aspect ratio of the filler contributes to overall barrier performance. In particular, aspect ratio is shown to have a major effect, with high ratios (and hence tendencies towards filler incorporation at the nano-level) quite dramatically enhancing gaseous barrier properties. Such excellent barrier characteristics have resulted in considerable interest in nanoclay composites in food packaging applications, both flexible and rigid. Specific examples include packaging for processed meats, cheese, confectionery, cereals and boil-in-the-bag foods, also extrusion-coating applications in association with paperboard for fruit juice and dairy products, together with co-extrusion processes for the manufacture of beer and carbonated drinks bottles.
Oxygen Barriers:
Honeywell have also been active in developing a combined active/passive oxygen barrier system for polyamide-6 materials. Passive barrier characteristics are provided by nanoclay particles incorporated via melt processing techniques whilst the active contribution comes from an oxygen scavenging ingredient (undisclosed). Oxygen transmission results reveal substantial benefits provided by nanoclay incorporation in comparison to the base polymer (rates approximately 15-20% of the bulk polymer value, with further benefits provided by the combined active/passive system). Akkapeddi suggests that the increased tortuosity provided by the nanoclay particles essentially slows transmission of oxygen through the composite and drives molecules to the active scavenging species resulting in near zero oxygen transmission for a considerable period of time.
Food Packaging:
Triton Systems and the US Army are conducting further work on barrier performance in a joint investigation. The requirement here is for a non-refrigerated packaging system capable of maintaining food freshness for three years. Nanoclay polymer composites are currently showing considerable promise for this application.
It is likely that excellent gaseous barrier properties exhibited by nanocomposite polymer systems will result in their substantial use as packaging materials in future years.
A somewhat more esoteric possibility arising from enhanced barrier performance recently suggested has been blown–films for artificial intestines!
Fuel Tanks:
The ability of nanoclay incorporation to reduce solvent transmission through polymers such as polyamides has been demonstrated. Data provided by De Bievre and Nakamura of UBE Industries reveals significant reductions in fuel transmission through polyamide–6/66 polymers by incorporation of a nanoclay filler. As a result, considerable interest is now being shown in these materials as both fuel tank and fuel line components for cars. Of further interest for this type of application, the reduced fuel transmission characteristics are accompanied by significant material cost reductions.
Films:
The presence of filler incorporation at nano-levels has also been shown to have significant effects on the transparency and haze characteristics of films. In comparison to conventionally filled polymers, nanoclay incorporation has been shown to significantly enhance transparency and reduce haze. With polyamide based composites, this effect has been shown to be due to modifications in the crystallisation behaviour brought about by the nanoclay particles; spherilitic domain dimensions being considerably smaller. Similarly, nano-modified polymers have been shown, when employed to coat polymeric transparency materials, to enhance both toughness and hardness of these materials without interfering with light transmission characteristics. An ability to resist high velocity impact combined with substantially improved abrasion resistance was demonstrated by Haghighat of Triton Systems.
Flammability Reduction:
The ability of nanoclay incorporation to reduce the flammability of polymeric materials was a major theme of the paper presented by Gilman of the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the US. In his work Gilman demonstrated the extent to which flammability behaviour could be restricted in polymers such as polypropylene with as little as 2% nanoclay loading. In particular heat release rates, as obtained from cone calorimetry experiments, were found to diminish substantially by nanoclay incorporation. Although conventional microparticle filler incorporation, together with the use of flame retardant and intumescent agents would also minimise flammability behaviour, this is usually accompanied by reductions in various other important properties. With the nanoclay approach, this is usually achieved whilst maintaining or enhancing other properties and characteristics.
Key Benefits of Nanocomposites:
* Increase mechanical properties (increased strength, Moduli).
* Increased thermal resistance.
* Equivalent or better properties with less filler.
* Lower density.
* Easier process ability.
* Unique properties.
* Increase chemical resistance
Advantages of Nanocomposites:
Mechanical properties e.g. strength, modulus and dimensional stability
• Decreased permeability to gases, water and hydrocarbons
• Thermal stability and heat distortion temperature
• Flame retardancy and reduced smoke emissions
• Chemical resistance
• Surface appearance
• Electrical conductivity
• Optical clarity in comparison to conventionally filled polymers
Disadvantage of Nanocomposites:
To date one of the few disadvantages associated with nanoparticle incorporation has concerned toughness and impact performance. Some of the data presented has suggested that nanoclay modification of polymers such as polyamides, could reduce impact performance. Clearly this is an issue which would require consideration for applications where impact loading events are likely. In addition, further research will be necessary to, for example, develop a better understanding of formulation/structure/property relationships, better routes to platelet exfoliation and dispersion etc.
Application of nanocomposites:
Barrier
* Film.
* Beverage Containers.
* Fuel tank and Containers.
* Cosmetic Enclosures.
Structural
* Unfilled material application which required improved mechanical properties without sacrificing dimension stability and weight.
* Tubing and Fibre.
Flame Retardant
* Large area parts where reduced heat release is required.
Food packaging
* Film.
* Extrusion coating.
* Bottles/ Containers.
Gas Barriers:
The gaseous barrier property improvement that can result from incorporation of relatively small quantities of nanoclay materials is shown to be substantial. Data provided from various sources indicates oxygen transmission rates for polyamide-organoclay composites which are usually less than half that of the unmodified polymer. Further data reveals the extent to which both the amount of clay incorporated in the polymer, and the aspect ratio of the filler contributes to overall barrier performance. In particular, aspect ratio is shown to have a major effect, with high ratios (and hence tendencies towards filler incorporation at the nano-level) quite dramatically enhancing gaseous barrier properties. Such excellent barrier characteristics have resulted in considerable interest in nanoclay composites in food packaging applications, both flexible and rigid. Specific examples include packaging for processed meats, cheese, confectionery, cereals and boil-in-the-bag foods, also extrusion-coating applications in association with paperboard for fruit juice and dairy products, together with co-extrusion processes for the manufacture of beer and carbonated drinks bottles.
Oxygen Barriers:
Honeywell have also been active in developing a combined active/passive oxygen barrier system for polyamide-6 materials. Passive barrier characteristics are provided by nanoclay particles incorporated via melt processing techniques whilst the active contribution comes from an oxygen scavenging ingredient (undisclosed). Oxygen transmission results reveal substantial benefits provided by nanoclay incorporation in comparison to the base polymer (rates approximately 15-20% of the bulk polymer value, with further benefits provided by the combined active/passive system). Akkapeddi suggests that the increased tortuosity provided by the nanoclay particles essentially slows transmission of oxygen through the composite and drives molecules to the active scavenging species resulting in near zero oxygen transmission for a considerable period of time.
Food Packaging:
Triton Systems and the US Army are conducting further work on barrier performance in a joint investigation. The requirement here is for a non-refrigerated packaging system capable of maintaining food freshness for three years. Nanoclay polymer composites are currently showing considerable promise for this application.
It is likely that excellent gaseous barrier properties exhibited by nanocomposite polymer systems will result in their substantial use as packaging materials in future years.
A somewhat more esoteric possibility arising from enhanced barrier performance recently suggested has been blown–films for artificial intestines!
Fuel Tanks:
The ability of nanoclay incorporation to reduce solvent transmission through polymers such as polyamides has been demonstrated. Data provided by De Bievre and Nakamura of UBE Industries reveals significant reductions in fuel transmission through polyamide–6/66 polymers by incorporation of a nanoclay filler. As a result, considerable interest is now being shown in these materials as both fuel tank and fuel line components for cars. Of further interest for this type of application, the reduced fuel transmission characteristics are accompanied by significant material cost reductions.
Films:
The presence of filler incorporation at nano-levels has also been shown to have significant effects on the transparency and haze characteristics of films. In comparison to conventionally filled polymers, nanoclay incorporation has been shown to significantly enhance transparency and reduce haze. With polyamide based composites, this effect has been shown to be due to modifications in the crystallisation behaviour brought about by the nanoclay particles; spherilitic domain dimensions being considerably smaller. Similarly, nano-modified polymers have been shown, when employed to coat polymeric transparency materials, to enhance both toughness and hardness of these materials without interfering with light transmission characteristics. An ability to resist high velocity impact combined with substantially improved abrasion resistance was demonstrated by Haghighat of Triton Systems.
Flammability Reduction:
The ability of nanoclay incorporation to reduce the flammability of polymeric materials was a major theme of the paper presented by Gilman of the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the US. In his work Gilman demonstrated the extent to which flammability behaviour could be restricted in polymers such as polypropylene with as little as 2% nanoclay loading. In particular heat release rates, as obtained from cone calorimetry experiments, were found to diminish substantially by nanoclay incorporation. Although conventional microparticle filler incorporation, together with the use of flame retardant and intumescent agents would also minimise flammability behaviour, this is usually accompanied by reductions in various other important properties. With the nanoclay approach, this is usually achieved whilst maintaining or enhancing other properties and characteristics.
