Dayville, CT (April 2001) - Foster Corporation demonstrates its leadership in material solutions again by taking the latest technology from laboratory to marketplace with new nanocomposite nylons. These new nylon formulations offer a substantial increase in rigidity and stiffness while maintaining a high degree of the base polymer's inherent elongation. This is a significant breakthrough for thin wall applications such as tubing and film.
Traditionally, increases in stiffness has been achieved with fibers or particles made from glass, carbon or minerals, such as mica or talc. Nanocomposites are materials that incorporate particles less than one nanometer thick in the base polymer. The extremely high length-to-thickness ratios of these particles is unmatched by traditional reinforcements and thus provides substantial property improvement in low loadings. With reduced loadings, attrition in other properties, such as elongation, is minimized.
According to Foster president Larry Acquarulo, "With a material such as nylon 12, we are able to increase flexural modulus by 65% while still maintaining 135% elongation in the material. A real increase in rigidity without brittleness is what designers have been dreaming of for tubing and film applications."
Additionally, the extremely small particle size and low loadings required in nanocomposites results in excellent dispersion to the extent that transparency is not affected in thin sections. Nanocomposites also enhance barrier properties of the base polymer.
Nanocomposite nylons represent the company's emerging family of nanocomposite materials designed to increase mechanical performance without substantial attrition in toughness and elongation. This precision alteration technology is part of the company's development of an entire line of Selectively Enhanced Polymers (SEPs).
Foster Corporation and Foster West Corporation are the global market leaders in design, development and delivery of specialty thermoplastic solutions for medical, electronic and other niche industrial markets. The companyÆs Applied Polymer Development group provides polymeric material, process and design contract development engineering services for these target markets. For more information, please call 860.774.3964.
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Contact:Dan Lazas
610.458.2038