International Appliance Manufacturing 2008 - (Page 60) NaNo Is Now Nanocomposites from PolyOne are being used in a variety of applications. Nanocomposites already on the job. by larry adams 60 t’s hard to read anything these days without coming across a reference to nanotechnology. What some designers may not realize is that some nanotech products have already made it out of the lab and into the field. In the realm of engineered materials, plastics enhanced with nanometer-sized particles are now available that offer designers a range of new options and benefits such as optical clarity, strength, stiffness, thermal stability, reduced permeability, and flame retardancy. These nanocomposites, as the plastics are known, are loaded with small amounts of nano-sized particles of inorganic materials that are homogenously dispersed in the polymer matrix. By evenly dispersing the particles throughout the polymer matrix, a greater interfacial area is created between the polymer and particles. It is this interfacial area that improves mechanical properties. Depending on the materials used, different, and multiple, properties can be obtained. This mix-and-match, a la carte approach to selecting desired qualities is what often sets nanocomposites apart from standard plastic products. “When multiple attributes are needed, that is when nano materials are the right choice. Otherwise it might be better to I use standard technology,” says David Jarus, R&D manager for PolyOne Corp, which offers both nano and standard materials. The company offers a range of Nanoblend compounds that are lighter, stiffer and tougher than standard products. Additional properties can be blended into the base material such as fire retardance and chemical resistance. Nanocomposites are generally considered to more easily flow and mold, and process faster. PolyOne’s Nanoblends, for instance, which have a low specific gravity of 0.9 to 0.96, flow easily for thin-wall parts and often cool faster than traditional materials. RTP Co., Winona, Minn., also has a range of nanocomposites. Testing of its recently released compounds containing nanoclays demonstrated that they can cycle 25 percent faster in molding machines than many other standard materials. The nano-based materials can come in many forms. Some recipes have been used for years such as adding nanosilver to plastics to inhibit microbial growth. But, the marketplace is set to explode with new nanocomposite technologies as applications are found for blends containing nanoclays and nanotubes. Nandan Rao, technology director for DuPont Performance Materials, says nano- International Appliance Manufacturing 2008
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