Objetivo
The need for increased barrier properties in commodity polymers for use with aggressive substances or hot liquids is growing. Specific needs for better solutions in under-floor heating and oil exploration are our identified markets. At present barrier properties in thick section polymers are very limited, as molecular orientation of the barrier filler can not be influenced by the extrusion process, as can be done in extruding thin sections (<100pm thick). To compensate for this, solutions using highly expensive materials (PVDF, EVOH), or complex multi-layer systems, that cannot be recycled either during manufacture or at end of life are selected. Through Cooperative research and development, our SME consortium intends to penetrate these markets with new technology, developed with the help of RTD performers.
The proposal is to enable low cost commodity polymers to be modified by adding a nickel- plated nano filler. The addition of a nano filler alone will enhance the properties of the material, however the project progresses by then influencing orientation of the plated nano platelets, such that they lie in the same plane, therefore creating a tortuous path (1,000,000 times more tortuous) for gases trying to permeate through the polymer. The resultant ultimate barrier property will then be proportional to the thickness of the polymer.
Strategic Objectives: Produce extruded pipes with barrier properties superior to current single layer solutions, and equal to multi-layer solutions, using modified cost effective commodity polymers that can be recycled, for use in the 2 identified markets. Economic Objectives: Develop the pipe product and process such that extrusion companies and compounders can tailor the ultimate barrier performance and cost by controlling the amount of plated nano filler added into the polymer, and controlling thickness of the finished barrier layer, therefore being able to balance cost verses performance for various end user requirements.
Ámbito científico
Convocatoria de propuestas
FP6-2004-SME-COOP
Consulte otros proyectos de esta convocatoria
Régimen de financiación
Data not availableCoordinador
NELTON MOWBRAY
Reino Unido