RTP Company: The Global Leader in Specialty Compounding

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RTP Company Breaks Ground with First Commercial Nylon/Organo-Clay Compound

WINONA, MINNESOTA, USA — RTP Company, a world leader in specialty thermoplastic compounding, has produced the first commercially-available product that incorporates organo-clay hybrids into nylon via the compounding process. This form of nanocomposite features a mere 3-5% loading, producing lightweight parts with impact strength similar to the unfilled resin.

The additive is an organically-treated mica-like clay that separates into microscopic platelets and disperses evenly throughout the resin. One gram of the dispersed clay has a surface area of over 750 square meters. This is an indication of large aspect ratio, which is key to the nanocomposite's unique properties--particularly barrier enhancement.

"A major advantage of these 'polymer nanocomposites' is the increase in heat deflection temperatures (HDT) over the unfilled resin, comparable to a 20-30% load of a standard mineral-filled compound," explained Sam Dahman, R & D specialist at RTP Company. "Particularly for under-the-hood automotive applications, engineers can maintain the HDT while reducing the weight of the component." Also of potential importance is a reduction in heat release rates of approximately 50%.

An additional benefit of the new compound is enhanced barrier properties against moisture, gasses, and fragrances. "Because the large aspect ratio layers create an extremely tortuous path for diffusion, they perform exceptionally well in packaging applications."

RTP Company's nanocomposite shows an increase in HDT of 53% over unfilled resin with very little change in specific gravity. Achieving a similar HDT using a 30% mineral filled compound results in a 20% increase in specific gravity over unfilled resin. Tensile strength improves 48% over a 30% mineral filled compound and 63% over unfilled nylon 6. Mechanical and thermal properties are as follows:

More

• PRESS RELEASE: RTP Company Introduces Nylon 6 Nanocomposite For Extruded Film Or Sheet

For more information, contact RTP Company at 507-454-6900 or 800-433-4787, or e-mail rtp@rtpcompany.com.

About RTP Company
RTP Company, headquartered in Winona, Minnesota, is a global leader in specialty compounding. The company has eight manufacturing plants on three continents, plus sales representatives throughout North America, Europe, and Asia/Pacific. RTP Company's engineers develop customized thermoplastic compounds in over 60 different engineering resin systems for applications requiring color, conductive, flame retardant, high temperature, shielding, structural, and wear resistant properties.