New directions in nanocomposites R&D.

Researchers in industry, government, and academia are exploring the potential of plastic nanocomposites in aerospace, chemical processing, medical, and semiconductor applications. Several of these research projects involve single-walled carbon nanotubes, which are said to be stronger, tougher, and stiffer than existing reinforcements, and nanotubes also can confer electrical and thermal conductivity. One supplier of those nanotubes is Carbon Nanotechnologies Inc. (CNI) in Houston. CNI recently forged a deal with Houston-based Performance Plastics Products (3P), div. of Plastic Omnium. 3P makes corrosion- and abrasion-resistant parts for automotive, aerospace, and semi-conductor uses. It will use CNI's nanotubes to elevate the toughness and stiffness of plastic compounds and both finished and semi-finished parts of such resins as PVF, PVDF, PTFE, PEEK, and PPS.

Meanwhile, CNI also forged an alliance with SABIC in the Netherlands, which hopes to use nanotubes to boost the strength, stiffness, and abrasion resistance of its Stamylan HMW-HDPE materials.

Until recently, CNI's nanotubes were supplied only in test samples. But plans are now under way to build a 36,500-1b/yr semi-works plant in the near future. CNI has also come up with a form of nanotubes that is more friendly to plastics processing. In order to make it possible to handle the super-light nanotube particles, CNI converts them into BuckyPearls, or beads of 2- to 4-mm diam. that are 40 times denser than the basic particles. CNI: [phone], www.cnanotech.com; 3P: [phone], www.plasticomnium.com / 3p