Deliverables Improved FR properties of polyolefins and polycondensates compounds Several concepts to achieve nanodispersion of Polypropylene (PP) and Polyamide (PA6) nanocomposite systems were developed. A functional oligomer was used as a comptabiliser and clay modified by organic groups was used as filler for PP, however unmodified raw bentonite was used for PA6. For the PA6 nanocomposite, it was shown that the flammability properties of the PA6 nanocomposites decrease significantly - by more than 50% in comparison with virgin PA6. The synergism with some conventional flame retardant fillers shows interesting properties in respect to electrical applications. It reaches a V0 UL 94 classification and passes the glow wire test for 960°C. For the PP nanocomposite: No significant results were achieved in terms of flammability. The intumescence concept was tested using the association of PP/PA6 blends and Ammonium PolyPhosphates (AP 750). A significant decrease in the peak of RHR is obtained (80%) in comparison to virgin PP. The combination of micro and nano fillers leads to an increase of mechanical and fire performances. A patent application for the FR compounds was deposited. Methods for making polymer nanocomposites (direct compounding and masterbatches) from polyolefins While remaining decisively behind expectations, the results obtained in the project allowed to clarify the following points: a) Commercial promises and published results on PP-based organoclay nanocomposites are frequently "very optimistic" and hardly reproducible (results of extensive benchmark testing) b) Screw design and process optimisation, including the use of new element types, can improve material properties significantly at both lab and pilot scale c) From the variations of matrix polymer, compatibiliser and filler types in the "conventional" compositions (organoclay & compatibilisers) the matrix variation seems most promising in optimising the performance d) Only a limited part of the project work was dedicated to "new approaches" with significant cost-saving potential; only the combination of untreated montmorillonite with PA-6 yielded some useful results, but will however require significant further development e) Conventional compounds with micronised talc can also gain from using a two-step compounding process; the improvements in mechanics & shrinkage are, however, paid for by much higher production cost f) Retaining processability, handling and "side properties" of compounds will require attention in any case Know-how for application of novel nanocomposites based on polycondensates for technical goods The first step of the study was to choose potential applications for nanocomposites regarding the previous results from the scientific literature. The second step consisted in having an overview of the behaviour that can be reached with those materials. A major part of the work was dedicated to the study of mixed materials (nano/micro filled) prepared on the basis of nanocomposite masterbatches in order to reach the thermomechanical behaviour of benchmark materials. After having developed a material answering the specifications (even for the flame retardancy), some demonstrators were injection moulded and assembled. Application tests were carried out showing that work is now to be done to adjust the compound. The developed material has quite the same behaviour as benchmark one (a bit too rigid which could explain the limit in terms of applied energy acceptable) but with a targeted price difficult to achieve. Work is now to be done in collaboration with DSM to complete the last specifications for the material (colour, laser marking, perhaps change of the FR system for a cheaper one, targeted price ). Searching for OpenAIRE data... There was an error trying to search data from OpenAIRE No results available
