Agenda

Four lectures will be given with associated demonstrations on the following topics. Each of the lectures will be 45 minutes long with 15 minutes for discussion. Each of the demonstrations will be 45 minutes long as well. The demonstrations will be run four times to accommodate four groups of participants.

• Processing Considerations for Nanoclays: Practical Experiences on the Production Floor
  
• Characterization of Structure and Orientation in Polymer Nanocomposites For Packaging
  
• Electrical Resistivity Measurements on Molded Polymer Nanocomposites
  
• Conductive and Stiff Nanocomposites with Expanded Graphite

A brief outline of the demonstrations follows:

• Extruder configurations and feed sequence for compounding "nanoclay" or layered silicates with polymer melts; mechanical properties from injection molded coupons
  
• Atomic force microscopy and electron microscopy, nanoparticle length distributions, dynamic shear tests on melts, nanolayer orientation from refractive index measurements on blown and cast films
  
• Tests for vapor permeability; oxygen and water vapor barrier; effects of crystallinity and filler characteristics, effect of nanoparticles on crystallite size
  
• Tests for electrical conductivity; carbon nanotubes (Hyperion), expanded graphite, effects of molding on electrical conductivity
  

Speakers and Demonstration Organizers:

Karl Kamena, Southern Clay Products
K. Jayaraman, Michigan State University
Andrew Rich, Hyperion Catalysis
L.T. Drzal, Michigan State University
JoAnn Ratto, US Army Natick Center