The addition of nanoparticles can significantly improve the properties of polymers. However, the industrialized production of nanocomposites presents the technological challenge of correctly dispersing the nanoparticles in the polymer matrix. EURECAT has developed a device that can be connected to standard twin-screw extruders and provide ultrasound vibration to the molten material, thus aiming to improve the degree of dispersion of nanoparticles. The present work presents the experimental validation of this technology, including the construction of processing windows and the comparison of nanocomposites obtained by traditional compounding and ultrasound-assisted extrusion. The produced nanocomposites consist of 94% polypropylene and 6% nanoclays (Cloisite 20A). The properties analyzed are: fluidity (MFI), mechanical properties (traction), O2 barrier properties and microstructure (TEM). The MFI results and the increase in material stiffness suggested an improvement in nanoparticle dispersion when using the ultrasonic device, especially when the intensity was set to 60%. These observations were verified with the results of the barrier tests (to O2), which demonstrated that the ultrasound treatment was effective in reducing the O2 permeability of the compounds.
Abstract The addition of nanoparticles can significantly improve the properties of polymers. However, the industrialized production of nanocomposites presents the technological challenge [...]
Ultrasound-assisted compounding extrusion to improve dispersion of nanoreinforcements 
