Honeywell EAS (Morristown, NJ) expects the first polymerized nanocomposite nylon 6 resin N.A. application by early 2001. Applications include extruded and co-extruded films and coatings, such as for stand-up pouches. It also can be injection-molded for rigid containers or closures.
During the polymerization process, one nanometer of inorganic, nanoscale platelets -- Nanomer® platelets from Noncor (Chicago, IL) -- are disposed uniformly in Capran® nylon 6 resins.
When used with films and coatings, Honeywell claims nanocomposite nylons improve oxygen barrier properties and carbon dioxide barrier properties by three to four times when compared to unfilled nylon 6 resin. As for rigid packaging, Honeywell claims the new resin nearly doubles the heat resistance of nylon 6 and increases tensile modulus, flexural modulus and flexural strength by 30 to 50 percent.
