(237c) Continuous Solid-State Processing of Polymer Nanocomposites: Chilled Twin-Screw Extrusion

Commercial-scale processing of polymer nanocomposites relies prominently on continuous twin-screw extrusion.  Previous work has explored ways to modify a twin-screw extruder so that proper degrees of exfoliation and dispersion of nanofiller particles can be applied in the polymer matrix.  Solid-state shear pulverization (SSSP)—along with its extension, solid/melt-state extrusion (SMSE)—is a unique, emerging processing technique for applying mechanochemistry principles to process polymer nanocomposites in a chilled twin screw extruder.  Materials are cooled below the transition temperatures, and subjected to high compressive and shear forces.  The technique has shown to effectively disperse nanoclay, carbon nanotube, and as-received graphite particles in polyolefin systems.  The process simple and versatile, as the output form and morphology can be tailored to different post-processing needs.  This paper will present the processing-structure-property relationship study currently conducted for the SSSP and SMSE processes, based on the results from successful processing of model nanocomposites.