Nanostrength®: self-assembling block copolymers
Nanostrength® is a new family of self-assembling block copolymers that organize on the nanometer scale. When blended into a polymer matrix compatible with one of the blocks, Nanostrength® imparts unique combinations of properties to the end material such as impact strength, high rigidity, and transparency. Nanostrength® diblock copolymers allow for the modification a material’s surface properties including changes in hydrophillicity, hydrophobicity and adhesion.
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Achieving this block structure is possible through Controlled Radical Polymerization (CRP), more precisely Nitroxide-Mediated Polymerization (NMP), based on Arkema‘s proprietary alcoxyamine: BlocBuilder®.
Generally, Nanostrength® block copolymers are triblock polymers consisting of polymethylmethacrylate-b-polybutylacrylate-b-polymethylmethacrylate (our MAM family) or polystyrene-b-polybutylacrylate-b-polystyrene (our SAS family).
Diblock polymers based on such monomers are also available. The different blocks (polymethylmethyacrylate or polystyrene) can be functionalized with other co-monomers of different polarity, hydrophilicity, reactivity and adhesion in order to tailor the polymer to specific needs.
Properties
- Nanostrength® is available in regular and functionalized versions to ensure compatibility with numerous polymer matrices and achieve the desired functionalization or balance of properties.
- Nanostrength® can be incorporated into the desired end-product without raising the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the existing matrix.
- Incorporating Nanostrength® into epoxy, (meth)acrylic or PPE systems increases the material’s resistance to crack propagation.
- Nanostrength® is available in pellets, powder or microgranules to enable easy incorporation into current materials.