Nanocomposites have been somewhat 'hyped' during the past year, with talk of improved mechanical properties, better stiffness, high barrier properties and even inherent flame-retardancy - all coming from incorporation of quite small amounts of sub-microscopic (10-9 diameter) particles into compounds. John Murphy endeavours to predict the way forward for nanocomposites.
Recent developments in nanocomposites have seen Bayer commercialize a nylon film exhibiting high barrier properties from nanoparticles and the engineering compounder RTP Company launch a nylon moulding compound with interesting mechanical properties (see Table 1). Indeed, some of the automobile companies have been testing compounds: GM has been working with Montell on a thermoplastic olefin elastomer with 5% smectite clay from Southern Clay Products, giving stiffness equivalent to 25-35% talc and Dow Automotive Group has been working with Magna. GE Plastics has commercialized conductive grades of Noryl GTX (PPE/PA) using nano technology.