Speciality chemicals producer Lanxess (Leverkusen / Germany; www.lanxess.com) has developed a nanoparticle additive that can be used in the reinforcement of thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers and elastomer materials. The “Nanoprene” microgels, which consist of nanoscale organic particles, have been developed by Lanxess’ Rhein Chemie and technical rubber products businesses.

To date, Lanxess has focused its “Nanoprene” marketing efforts on auto tyres, where significant performance improvements are claimed. However, it has some experience in the use of the additive in the reinforcement of thermoplastics. With a glass transition temperature (Tg) of -75°C, strong physical and chemical bonding between the hydroxyl groups on the surface of “Nanoprene” particles and polymer matrices, the additive meets two of the three requirements for providing a high level of rubber reinforcement in a thermoplastic matrix. If the third requirement – strong physical or chemical interactions between the rubber and the thermoplastic (or thermosetting resin) phase – is met, “Nanoprene” can be very efficient in the rubber modification of thermoplastic and thermosetting resins, Lanxess said.