Polypropylene/styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene thermoplastic elastomer nanocomposite films†

Nanocomposite (polypropylene/styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene/organoclay) films were sheet-extruded with differing clay concentrations. Blends were compounded using a high shear single screw reciprocating kneader. Results demonstrated that higher clay content increased the Shore A hardness of the films but induced a significant improvement in both O2 and CO2 barrier performance. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 13:46–52, 2007. © 2007 Society of Plastics Engineers.