Intercalates; exfoliates; process for manufacturing intercalates and exfoliates and composite materials containing same

摘要

Intercalates formed by mixing the phyllosilicate with a polymer and a liquid carrier, and extruding the mixture through a die-opening to adsorb or intercalate the polymer between adjacent phyllosilicate platelets. Sufficient polymer is adsorbed between adjacent phyllosilicate platelets to expand the adjacent platelets to a spacing of at least about 10 ANGSTROM (as measured after water removal), up to about 55 ANGSTROM and preferably in the range of about 30-40 ANGSTROM , so that the intercalate easily can be exfoliated into individual platelets by heating the polymer to its melting point, to provide a matrix polymer/platelet composite material.