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Low-cost, super strong, nanocomposite plastics are not far off, it seems
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28/04/2008
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The introduction of clay nano particles into low-cost polymers to greatly enhance their strength may not be far off.
It has long been known that reinforcing with nanoparticles has the potential to make low-cost plastics very strong. Until now, however, introducing very finely divided materials into molten polymers – and ensuring they stay finely divided - has proved extremely difficult
AK Industries in Hereford and Pera in Melton Mowbray have been collaborating on a number of advanced plastics-based projects.
“There are certain ways you can introduce nanoclays into polymers,” says Alastair Green of AK Industries. “You can take a polystyrene or PBT and get these up to the properties of a nylon or glass-filled nylon. We are also working with Loughborough University, who are doing a lot of work on the clays. Pera is working on introducing it into the polymers.”
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Author
Tom Shelley
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