Optimizing nano-filler performance in polymers

• US 6,833,392 B1
• Filed: 02/05/2003
• Issued: 12/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Washington Trust Company
• Original Assignee: Lawrence A. Acquarulo Jr
• Inventors: Xu, Jianwei, Acquarulo, Lawrence a. Jr., OʼNeil, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): BERMAN, SUSAN W
• Application Number:
  US10/129,921
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• Field of Search: 522/83, 522/114, 522/117, 522/135, 522/137, 524/445, 524/447, 604/508, 604/509
• US Class Current: 522/83
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 2201/011 Nanostructured additives
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 3/346 Clay
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 5/0025 Crosslinking or vulcanising agents; including accelerators

Abstract

A polymer composite comprising a polymer matrix having, dispersed therein, a nano clay in combination with a crosslinking promotor. In method form, the invention relates to a process for enhancing the mechanical properties of a polymer composite, comprising supplying a polymer matrix, combining the matrix with a nano clay and crosslinking promotor and crosslinking.

Claims

1. A polymer composite comprising a polymer matrix having, dispersed therein, a nano clay in combination with a crosslinking promoter, wherein said crosslinking promoter is a chemical compound which promotes crosslinking between polymer chains upon exposure to irradiation.

2. The composite of claim 1 wherein said crosslinking promoter is triallylisocyanurate or triallylcyanurate.

3. The composite of claim 1 wherein said crosslinking promoter is present at a level of about 0.5 to 10% (wt).

4. The composite of claim 1 wherein said nano clay is present at a level of about 1 to 10% (wt).

5. The composite of claim 1 wherein said polymer matrix is a thermoplastic polymer or thermoset polymer.

6. The composite of claim 1 wherein said polymer matrix is a polyamide polymer or a polyamide copolymer comprising a polyamide block and an elastomeric block.

7. The composite of claim 6 wherein said polyamide block is a nylon-6, nylon-6,6, nylon-11, nylon-12, copolymers of nylon-6/nylon-11, copolymers of nylon-6/nylon-12 or mixtures thereof.

8. The composite of claim 6 wherein said elastomeric block is selected from a polyether, polyester, hydrocarbon, polysiloxane or mixtures thereof.

9. A composite comprising a polymer matrix having, dispersed therein, a nano clay in combination with a crosslinking promoter, wherein said matrix is irradiation crosslinked.

10. A polymer composite comprising a polymer matrix having, dispersed therein, a nano clay in combination with a crosslinking promoter, wherein said crosslinking promoter is triallylisocyanurate or triallylcyanurate.

11. A method for enhancing the mechanical properties of a polymer composite, comprising:

(a) supplying a polymer matrix;

(b) combining said matrix with a nano clay and a crosslinking promoter; and

(c) irradiating the combination of step (b) and crosslinking.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said polymer matrix comprises polymer chains, said promoter is a chemical compound that absorbs irradiation and becomes chemically reactive to form crosslinks, and wherein said crosslinks comprise covalent bonds between said polymer chains.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said irradiation is 5, 10, 15 or 20 megarads.

14. In an intravascular catheter having a tubular shaft comprising a nylon block copolymer and a soft flexible tubular tip distal of and bonded to said shaft, the improvement comprising adding a nano clay filler and a compound which promotes crosslinking therein to said nylon block copolymer forming said shaft, and irradiation crosslinking said nylon block copolymer of said tubular shaft.

15. In a balloon type catheter having a tubular shaft comprising a nylon block copolymer and an integrally formed balloon section, the improvement comprising adding a nano clay filler and a compound which promotes crosslinking therein to said nylon block copolymer forming said balloon, and irradiation crosslinking said nylon block copolymer of the balloon section.