DuPont develops advanced nanocomposites for enhanced polymer properties

Global chemical supplier E.I. DuPont will introduce in 2007 a new family of thermoplastic nanocomposites for the design and production of plastic parts, the company announced.
The new resins will be targeted to automotive, electrical, electronic and industrial applications.
According to Nandan Rao, technology director, DuPont Performance Materials, the new nanocomposites will be based on fundamental DuPont research on the behavior of nanomaterials in polymers. DuPont is conducting research into nanomaterials that can offer unique properties, and is also developing better ways to disperse such nanomaterials in polymers, Rao said.
“These nanocomposites are novel, yielding substantial improvements in key desirable properties. While the polymers and additive we are using are existing materials, the innovation lies in the proprietary process technology developed by DuPont scientists,” Rao explained. “With proper dispersion in a polymer, we have found that small amounts of a naturally occurring material form nanoscale reinforcement structures that can produce substantial improvements in mechanical properties, high-temperature properties, barrier properties and processing characteristics.”
E.I. Dupont’s Canadian facilities are headquartered in Mississauga, Ont.