In addition to the observed improvements in performance, lower loading levels of Nanofiller are required in comparison to conventional fillers to achieve the same desired effect, resulting in lighter weight materials and materials with similar structural dimensions but superior properties.

Although Nanocomposites are realising many key applications in numerous industrial fields, a number of key technical and economic barriers exist to widespread commercialisation. These include impact performance, the complex formulation relationships, and routes to achieving and measuring Nanofiller dispersion and exfoliation once in the polymer matrix. Rapra Technology is working to find solutions too many of these problems within numerous projects funded through both National and European schemes. Investment in state-of-the-art equipment and the enlargement of core research team’s allow Rapra to react quickly to innovative ideas and offer a broad expertise and experience that covers the breadth of Nanocomposite technology.