Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing an amorphous polyamide-clay nanocomposite comprising the steps of:

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for preparing an exfoliated, high I.V. polymer-platelet particle nanocomposite comprising the steps of: A process for preparing an exfoliated, high I.V. polymer-platelet particle nanocomposite comprising the steps of: (i) melt mixing platelet particles with an oligomeric polyamide resin to form an oligomeric resin-platelet particle composite, and (ii) mixing the oligomeric resin-platelet particle composite with a high molecular weight matrix polyamide having diamine and diacid repeat units, thereby increasing the molecular weight of the oligomeric resin-platelet particle composite and producing an exfoliated, high I.V. polymer nanocomposite material. The invention also is directed to a nanocomposite material produced by the process, products produced from the nanocomposite material, and a nanocomposite prepared from an oligomeric resin-platelet particle precursor composite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising (i) a layered clay material that has been cation-exchanged with an organic cation salt represented by Formula (I): wherein M is nitrogen or phosphorous, X− is a halide, hydroxide, or acetate anion, R1 is a straight or branched alkyl group having at least 8 carbon atoms, and R2, R3, and R4 are independently hydrogen or a straight or branched alkyl group having 1 to 22 carbon atoms; and (ii) at least one expanding agent, wherein the cation-exchanged clay material contains platelet particles and the expanding agent separates the platelet particles. The present invention also relates to a composite comprising a polymer having dispersed therein a composition of this invention. Preferred polymers for use in the composite include polyesters. The composite of the present invention shows vastly improved platelet separation as evidenced by higher than previously reported basal spacing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a polymer-clay nanocomposite having an improved gas permeability comprising (i) a melt-processible matrix polymer, and incorporated therein (ii) a layered clay material intercalated with a mixture of at least two organic cations. The invention also relates to processes for preparing a nanocomposite and articles produced from a nanocomposite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for preparing a nanocomposite comprising:

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for preparing an exfoliated, high I.V. polymer-platelet particle nanocomposite comprising the steps of: (i) melt mixing platelet particles with a matrix polymer-compatible oligomeric resin to form an oligomeric resin-platelet with a high molecular weight matric polymer, thereby increasing the molecular weight of the oligomeric resin-platelet particle composite and producting an exfoliated, high I.V. polymer nanocomposite material. The invention also is directed to a nanocomposite material producted by the process, producted produced from the nanocomposite material, and a nanocomposite prepared from an oligomeric resin-platelet particle precursor composite.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a nanocomposite material and products produced from the nanocomposite material. This invention is also directed to a process for preparing a polymer-clay nanocomposite comprising the steps of (i) forming a concentrate comprising a layered clay material with a matrix polymer-compatible functionalized oligomer or polymer, and (ii) melt compounding the concentrate with a melt-processable matrix polymer to produce a polymer-clay nanocomposite.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a polymer-clay nanocomposite material comprising a melt-processible matrix polymer and a layered clay material having decreased levels of extractable material, such as extractable salts of organic cations. This invention is also directed to processes for preparing polymer-clay nanocomposites, and articles or products produced from nanocomposite materials.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a polyamide-clay nanocomposite, products produced from the nanocomposite, and a process for preparing a polyamide-clay nanocomposite. The polyamide-clay nanocomposite comprises (a) an amorphous matrix polyamide comprising (i) a residue of a dicarboxylic acid component comprising at least two diacids and (ii) a residue of a diamine component, and (b) a layered clay material, wherein the layered clay material is dispersed in the matrix polyamide.

Abstract: This invention relates to a polymer-clay intercalates, exfoliates, nanocomposites and methods of manufacturing comprising (i) a melt-processible matrix polymer, and incorporated therein (ii) a mixture of at least two layered clay materials. The invention also relates to articles produced from a nanocomposite and a process for preparing a nanocomposite.

Abstract: This invention relates to a polymer-clay nanocomposite having an improved gas permeability comprising (i) a melt-processible matrix polymer, and incorporated therein (ii) a layered clay material intercalated with a mixture of at least two organic cations. The invention also relates to processes for preparing a nanocomposite and articles produced from a nanocomposite.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an nanocomposite material and products produced from the nanocomposite material. This invention is also directed to a process for preparing a polymer-clay nanocomposite comprising the steps of (i) forming a concetrate comprising a layered clay material with a matrix polymer-compatible functionalized oligomer or polymer, and (ii) melt compounding the concentrate with a melt-processible matrix polymer to produce a polymer-clay nanocomposite.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a polyamide-clay nanocomposite, products produced from the nanocomposite, and a process for preparing a polyamide-clay nanocomposite. The polyamide-clay nanocomposite comprises (a) an amorphous matrix polyamide comprising (i) a residue of a dicarboxylic acid component comprising at least two diacids and (ii) a residue of a diamine component, and (b) a layered clay material, wherein the layered clay material is dispersed in the matrix polyamide.

Abstract: The invetion is directed to a polymer-clay nanocomposite material comprising a melt-processible matrix oplymer and a layered clay material having decreased levels of extractable material, such as extratible saltssof organic cations. This invention is also derected to processes for preparing polymer-clay nanocomposites, intercalates, exfoliates, and articles or products produced from nanocomposite materials.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a polymer-clay nanocomposite material comprising a melt-processible matrix polymer and a layered clay material having low quartz content. This invention is also directed to a process for preparing a polymer-clay nanocomposites, and articles or products produced from nanocomposite materials.

Abstract: This invention relates to a polymer-clay intercalates, exfoliates, nanocomposites and methods of manufacturing comprising (i) a melt-processible matrix polymer, and incorporated therein (ii) a mixture of at least two layered clay materials. The invention also relates to articles produced from a nanocomposite and a process for preparing a nanocomposite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new polyester compositions, novel processes to prepare molded articles from these new polyester compositions, and novel containers fabricated from polyester/clay composites for food and beverages. The processing methods employed in this invention enable containers to be formed which exhibit excellent clarity. Specifically, the present invention relates to a process comprising forming a parison from a composite composition comprising about 0.01 to about 25 weight % platelet particles dispersed in at least one polyester at a processing temperature which is at least 50° above the Tg of said polyester; and molding said parison into a clear, thin walled article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polyester-platelet particle composite compositions comprising about 0.01 to about 25 weight percent platelet particles dispersed in at least one polyester wherein said composition has an I.V. of greater than about 0.55 dl/g, low shear melt viscosity greater than about 30,000 poise and a gas permeability which is at least 10% lower than that of unmodified polyester and processes for producing same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising platelet particles treated with at least one polyalkoxylated ammonium salt comprising at least one polyalkoxylated group consisting of greater than 5 repeating alkyl oxide groups. The treated particles of the present invention display particularly good dispersion when incorporated into various polyester compositions at concentrations up to about 25 weight %. Also disclosed is a process incorporating said treated platelet particles into a polyester and for forming said treated platelet particles.