Nanotough
Nanotough is a European framework project that focuses on developing tough plastic materials using nanotechnology. A total of 11 partners from Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Romania and Denmark are participating in the project.[1]
Nanotough objectives
The objective of Nanotough is to obtain a deeper understanding of the interfacial structure of nanocomposites within a polyolefin matrix and thus use nanoparticles like nanoclay to turn upside down the construction of a number of well-known products, where today metals or plastics are used in for example cars or aircraft. The project will enable realization of the great performance potential of these materials through development of novel multiphase and hybrid nanocomposites.
The project aims to improve the stiffness of polyolefin nanocomposites while not only maintaining but also improving the toughness of the matrix considerably. The technical objective is to optimize and, through novel interface design, to develop new cost effective hybrid (nanofiller-fibre) nanocomposites as an alternative to heavily filled polymers and expensive engineering polymers and fulfill industry requirements for high performance materials in high tech applications. Nanocomposites are emerging new materials that promise improved properties, but in practice, it has been difficult to translate existing knowledge on nanotechnology into tangible products. Nanotough’s objective is, in addition to basic research, to remove the technical barriers so that nano-composite-materials can be used commercially and lead to development of new products.[2]
Partners
- Aalborg University, Denmark (coordinator Professor Jesper deClaville Christiansen)
- Chemical Research Institute, Romania
- University of Hamburg, Germany
- Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
- (University of Genova, Italy
- ARMINES-CEMEF, France
- Centro Ricerche Fiat, Italy
- The Danish Technological Institute, Denmark
- Laviosa Chimica Mineraria, Italy
- FPK S.A, Spain
- Aviospace, Italy