|
The past couple of years has witnessed significant
news about developments in "Nano fillers" - the new fascinating
microscopic reinforcements. Nano fillers are very small and have
a much larger surface/volume ratio as compared to conventional fillers,
making it possible to attain mechanical property enhancements at
much lower addition levels. However, it takes a lot of know-how
and expertise to disperse and distribute nanofillers in the compound.
This partly explains why various players in the development chain
are working together more closely than they have in the past. Typical
examples are PolyOne's strategic alliance with Nanocor, which has
yielded Nanoblend concentrates, and more recently, Maxxam LST compounds.
Also contributing to the development is collaborative work from
polymer supplier Basell, additive supplier Southern Clay, and end-user
General Motors, that has led to the world's largest application
for nanocomposites.
In all cases, the host polymers are polyolefins. Polyolefin based
nanocomposites in the automotive industry have the advantage that
they could help in replacing the more expensive ETPs. The advantage
of using a nanocomposite for automotive applications is that less
filler material is required to provide the same or better performance
characteristics when compared to conventional materials. Some researchers
believe that hybrid system of nanofiller along with the reduced
levels of the conventional fillers have better chances for success.
According to a report by Frost & Sullivan, a market of about
5000 MT for nanofillers was developed in 2003, taking into consideration
an average dosage of only 0.3%. Interestingly, the maximum usage
of such nanocomposites has been in the field of packaging. Lower
permeability to moisture, gases and hydrocarbons is one of the primary
reasons for their wide usage in the packaging field. Various end
user industries are now seriously looking at this new exciting technology.
It is expected that market for nanofillers would grow at more than
25-30% in the next two decades. The high cost (in the range of US$500-US$750/kg)
of these micro fillers is a primary reason for slower acceptance.
Usage of nanofillers at even mere dosage levels of just 1%, leads
to a cost increase of over US$5/kg. In the future when prices lower,
dosage levels are expected to go up from levels 0.3% to about 3-5%.
These nano particles could cause some environmental
problems, particularly to animal organs. However, notwithstanding
some environmental doubts, these nano particles would provide tremendous
opportunity not only in the packaging field but more so in the automotive,
consumer electronic and construction industries.
|
