| Abstract | Clay polymer nanocomposites have received much interest in various applications including packaging, transportation, electronic and construction. The layer structure of clay in which its thickness is in the range of a nanometer provides unique advantages over other nano-particles in reinforcing polymer matrices, such as stiffness and strength, barrier properties, and fire resistance. The key issues are to exfoliate the clay layers fully in the matrix and establish a good interface with the matrix. Different approaches from 1) chemistry to modify the clay surface and the polymer matrix to make them compatible with each other, to 2) processing equipment to disperse and exfoliate the clays well in the polymer matrix and 3) formulation to tailor the industry needs will be the main objectives of this presentation. Commercialisation and application of clay polymer nanocomposites in various key sectors will also be discussed. |
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