POLYPROPYLENE/CLAY NANOCOMPOSITES

Nano-sized particles are added into polyolefin compounds such as polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE) to increase stiffness, toughness and impact resistance. Only a small weight of the platelets is need to create significant property improvements as well as lower processing temperatures, reduction in glass fiber content and improvements in surface gloss. Thinner walled moldings may be made than conventional polyolefin moldings, with no reduction in visual clarity.The nano-composite polymer compounds are available as resin master-batches for several grades of PP and PE. Current applications are for automotive molded parts such as exterior body panels and fenders, and consumer product molded parts such as kitchen appliances.