Abstract: The present invention involves a method of preparing a reinforced polymer providing improved mechanical properties. The method includes providing particles of the layered silicate and a supercritical fluid. The method further includes mixing the layered silicate with a polymer to form a treatable silicate-polymer mixture and contacting the treatable mixture with the supercritical fluid to exfoliate the silicate particles so that the particles disperse within the polymer. The method further includes depressurizing the contacted mixture to exfoliate the layered silicate so that the layers are substantially dispersed within the polymer to define a reinforced polymer.

Abstract: The present invention involves a system and method of delaminating a layered silicate to provide improved mechanical properties to select materials such as polymers. The method includes providing particles of the layered silicate and a supercritical fluid. The method further includes contacting the layered silicate particles with the supercritical fluid to define contacted layered silicate particles and catastrophically depressurizing the contacted layered silicate particles to exfoliate the layered particles so that the layered particles are substantially dispersed, defining treated silicate particles.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method of preparing a reinforced polymer providing improved mechanical properties. The method includes providing particles of the layered silicate and a supercritical fluid. The method further includes mixing the layered silicate with a polymer to form a treatable silicate-polymer mixture and contacting the treatable mixture with the supercritical fluid to exfoliate the silicate particles so that the particles disperse within the polymer. The method further includes depressurizing the contacted mixture to exfoliate the layered silicate so that the layers are substantially dispersed within the polymer to define a reinforced polymer.

Abstract: This invention involves a method of promoting solubility of a polymeric material of a master for separating the master from a mold in contact therewith to form a desired geometry on the mold. The method comprises providing a mixture of a non-polymeric organic material and polymeric material, and providing a molten material and a supercritical fluid. The non-polymeric organic material represents about 25% to 75% of the weight of the master. The polymeric material represents the balance of the weight of the master. The method further includes forming a master from the mixture. It has a predetermined shape on a contact surface thereof. The method further includes forming a mold in contact with the contact surface of the master, wherein the master and mold have relative mating surfaces to form the desired geometry on the mold. The method further includes separating the master from the mold by exposing the master to the supercritical fluid.