Biodegradable nanocomposites with improved

physical properties created via solid-state shear

pulverization
Duane B. Priddy - May 26, 2008
Conference - Nanocomposites are an inexpensive and efficient way to produce polymeric materials with
new or improved properties. Here, solid-state shear pulverization (SSSP) was used to create polymer/clay
nanocomposites. This process utilizes a modified twin-screw extruder which is cooled to keep the polymer
below the transition temperatures. Consequently, all processing occurs in the solid state. Due to high
levels of shear during pulverization, well-dispersed nanocomposites can be produced. The resulting
materials can have improved thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties. When PCL is used as the
matrix material, the exfoliated clay sheets greatly improve the physical properties. When compared with
neat PCL, the 98/2 wt% PCL/clay nanocomposite showed an 84% redn. in isothermal crystallization half-
time (at 40degC), a 49% reduction in oxygen permeation, and a greater than 100% increase in Young's
modulus.

Color matched wood-grained component for

automobile interior
Duane B. Priddy - Feb 24, 2010

Patent - This invention claims a process for manufacture of automotive interior components comprising a
plastic substrate having 1 flat surface with 1 adjacent curved surface, and a wood-grained plastic film
having a major colored feature and covering a portion of the flat surface and the adjacent surface of the
plastic substrate wherein the plastic substrate is comprised of a plastic colored to match the major color
feature of the wood-grained plastic film. The resins used include ABS, PP, PC/ABS blends, PU,
thermoplastic polyolefin, PET, PBT, and mixtures thereof. The automotive interior component is
manufactured by laminating a wood-grained plastic film to a substrate.
More information on: http://appft1.uspto.gov/...

Anticorrosive nanocomposite material

Duane B. Priddy - Jun 3, 2010

Patent - The invention relates to an anticorrosive nanocomposite material that comprises polyurea,
organophilic clay and suitable additives, and is useful for preparing a polyurea/clay nanocomposites. The
nanocomposite is useful as a coating material to greatly decrease the corrosion rate of the substrate. The
invention also describes a process for preparing the nanocomposite coating material, by mixing
homogeneously an amino terminated polyurea and an organophilic clay, followed by mixing
homogeneously with an isocyanate compound along with suitable additives at a proper ratio. During the
polymerization reaction, the organophilic clay exfoliates and achieves a nano-scale dispersion. The
anticorrosive coating is very robust and strongly adheres to a variety of substrates.
PHAs - the future green materials of choice
Duane B. Priddy - May 31, 2010

Technical Paper - PHAs have recently been the focus of attention as a biodegradable and biocompatible
substitute for conventional non-degradable plastics. The cost of large-scale production of these polymers
has inhibited its widespread use. Thus, economical, large-scale production of PHAs is currently being
intensively studied. Various bacterial strains, either wild-type or recombinant have been utilized with a
wide spectrum of utilizable carbon sources. New fermentation strategies have been developed for the
efficient production of PHAs at high concentration and productivity. With the current advances, PHAs can
now be produced to a concentration of 80 g L -1 with productivities greater than 4 g PHA L -1 h-1. These
advances will further lower the production cost of PHAs and allow this family of polymers to become a
leading biodegradable polymer in the near future. This article describes the properties of PHAs, their
uses, the various attempts towards the production of PHAs, focusing on the utilization of cheap substrates
and the development of different fermentation strategies for the production of these polymers, which is an
essential step forward towards their widespread use.

Mar resistant articles

Duane B. Priddy - May 27, 2010

Patent - This invention talks about new additives that improve the specular gloss retention and
mar resistance of articles made from amorphous and semi-crystalline polymers by employing a
combination of polydialkylsiloxane and an additive selected from the group of organic amines,
organic acids, triazinyl compounds, inorganic salts or bases, grafted or copolymerized
polyolefins, and aluminium hydroxide. Various organic amines, when combined with
polydimethylsiloxane, produce surprisingly high specular gloss retention results (87.9-95.4%)
compared to the results (5.0-35.6%) of blends without amine mar resistant additives.

What is Mar resistance?

Ans: The resistance of a material to abrasive action. It is measured by abrading a

specimen, then measuring the gloss of these abraded spots with a glossmeter and
comparing the results with an unabraded area of the specimen.
Heat-stable Nano-composite molding
materials
Duane B. Priddy - May 24, 2010

Patent - This invention talks of a nanocomposite composition having improved heat stability. It is well
known that the polymer oxidation involves free radicals and that free radicals are decomposed in the
presence of traces of certain transistion metals. The inventors discovered that the addition of nano-clays
containing traces of certain transition metals simultaneously reinforces and stabilizes polymers. The
innovative composition is composed of (I) a transition metal ion-modified clay; and (II) a polymer. The
transition metal is selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ag, Au and combinations thereof.
The clay is selected from the group consisting of montmorillonite, sepiolite, and combinations thereof. The
polymer is selected from the group consisting of PET, PBT, PTT and combinations thereof. For example,
a copper ion-modified clay (4 parts) filled nylon 66 (96 parts) was prepared from montmorillonite and
CuCl2 by heating/ mixing and extrusion, showing fracture tensile strength of 67.5 MPa (after 500 h heat
aging at 210) compared to the control (5.4 MPa, unmodified clay). The transition metal ion-modified clay
can greatly increase the heat stability of the polymer with low cost.

Breakthrough material for low gloss and

abrasion resistance with molded-in-color
automotive interior components
Conference - The luxury impression of a vehicle's interior is strongly dependent upon the surface quality
of the plastic interior trim parts. In higher level vehicles, this is achieved by covering the plastic surfaces
with PVC or Thermoplastic Olefin (TPO) skins, fabrics, or paint. However, in the majority of cases, cost
constraints dictate the use of unpainted, molded-in-color plastic parts. The critical factors that determine
the quality of unpainted interior part surfaces are low gloss appearance along with good scratch and
abrasion resistance. The typical materials currently in use for molded-in-color parts are PP, talc-filled PP,
talc-filled TPO), ABS, Polyamide/ABS (PA/ABS), and PC/ABS. Through extensive development efforts
over the past several years, the performance of these materials has significantly improved with respect to
scratch resistance and low gloss aesthetic appearance. However, a significant gap in surface quality and
robustness in comparison to the painted solution is still present. A development project aiming to reduce
these specific deficiencies resulted in new innovative material formulations, which provide breakthrough
improvements in low gloss appearance with excellent scratch and mar resistance. The resulting new
material family makes use of the latest advancements in elastomer technologies from Dow Automotive.
Velvex, an Advanced Reinforced Elastomer, will enable the automotive OEM to realize significant cost
savings through the elimination of paint in higher segment vehicle interiors, or with aesthetically more
demanding applications.