Low-cost, super strong, nanocomposite plastics are not far off, it seems

. It has long been known that reinforcing with nanoparticles has the potential to make low-cost plastics very strong. Until now, however, introducing very finely divided materials into molten polymers – and ensuring they stay finely divided - has proved extremely difficult AK Industries in Hereford and Pera in Melton Mowbray have been collaborating on a number of advanced plastics-based projects. “There are certain ways you can introduce nanoclays into polymers,” says Alastair Green of AK Industries. “You can take a polystyrene or PBT and get these up to the properties of a nylon or glass-filled nylon. We are also working with Loughborough University, who are doing a lot of work on the clays. Pera is working on introducing it into the polymers.”