doi:10.3850/978-981-08-6555-9_185

ABSTRACT

A most important role in polymer nanocomposite melt blending/mixing is played by the extruder screw and temperature profile whose effects can be monitored only by an overall assessment of the final structure of the extruded composites, whereas the stepwise process of nanostructuration cannot be monitored in normal extruders at all. A research and development project was approved in the 6^th framework program of the European Commission (MULTIHYBRIDS) aimed at developing in-line and on-line process sensors capable of providing real-time information on the dispersion and distribution of nanofillers in polymer molten state. From continuous measurements on relevant morphology and dispersion data, an insight is gained on the combined effects of composition and processing on nanocomposites structures such that a more effective process optimization can be established to achieve best product performance.

Keywords: Nanocomposite, Processing, On-line monitoring.

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