ADDITIVES | NANOCOMPOSITES
facturing (IINM) in WMG, part of the University of Warwick and one of the UK’s High Value Manufac- turing Catapult centres. IINM was founded just over a decade ago with the goal of addressing the many fundamental and technical challenges associated with the preparation of useful composites of polymers and nanomaterials and the manufacture of products from these materials using industry relevant processing techniques, said Tony McNally, professor and founder and director of IINM. Researchers at the IINM have worked on
These multi-axis spider charts illustrate the mechanical and electrical properties of Insight Polymers PP and PETG 15% CNT masterbatches at loadings of 3%, 5%, and 7% total CNT loading by weight. The CNTs improve tensile modulus, tensile strength and electrical resistance with minimal effect to impact strength Source: Insight Polymers
new US patent on “Use of graphene-polymer composites to improve barrier resistance of polymers to liquid and gas permeants”. The graphene polymer matrix composite (G-PMC) packaging material is made with a patented process technology for in-situ (ie in a modified extruder) exfoliation of graphite into graphene to form a composite.
US-based custom compounder Insight Polymers
& Compounding has launched a line of CNT concentrates that improve tensile strength and stiffness by 20% to 100% while maintaining impact strength, the company announced. They offer excellent conductivity at low loadings with consist- ent electrical properties and high cleanliness. The masterbatches contain 15% CNTs by weight and can be let down in the associated carrier materials with loadings of 2% to 7% by weight in the final com- pound. The first concentrates are available in PP, PETG, PA 6, PA 66, PA 12 and PPS, with more to be added to the portfolio. Custom compounds are also possible. Potential applications include electrostatic discharge (ESD) protective packaging, electronics storage bins, and conductive components in electronics assemblies. “The [CNTs’] light weight and lower loadings translate to lighter, stronger end products,” said AJ Pasquale, Insight Polymers Director of Operations.
Sustainable solutions Research in nanomaterials is ongoing at the International Institute for Nanocomposites Manu-
22 COMPOUNDING WORLD | October 2025
effective dispersion and distribution of both one-dimensional (1D) nanomaterials, such as multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and two-dimensional (2D) materials, such as graphene nanoplatelets, in polymer melts using twin-screw compounding. “Many of these nanomaterials are not monodisperse, contain defects and impurities and residual surfactants that must be considered during melt processing to avoid agglomeration of the nanofiller,” McNally explained. He added that in secondary processing (eg injection moulding, extrusion), the orientation of the nanoparticles or, for certain polymers, strain hardening effects due to stretching in the solid- state, can change the properties of the polymer matrix. “Researchers in the IINM are collaborating with
nanomaterial producers as well as tier one and tier two manufacturers on a wide range of fundamental and applied projects for application across several sectors,” said McNally. “Sustainable solutions continue to be a major driver and motivation for improved polymeric and elastomeric materials where the addition of 1D/2D nanofillers can provide not just mechanical reinforcement but also functional properties such as greatly enhanced electrical and thermal conductivity, [which are] key targets, for example, for the manufacturers of electrical vehicles.”
CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: �
https://mitomaterials.com �
https://hydrograph.com �
https://blackswangraphene.com �
https://hubron.com �
https://broadwaycolours.com �
www.moderndispersions.com �
https://nanoxplore.ca �
https://novagraphene.com �
www.tufwrap.com.au �
www.asbury.com �
https://amipp.rutgers.edu �
https://insightpolymers.com �
https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wmg
www.compoundingworld.com
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