Extruder reactive versatility

This technique of in situ interlayer polymerization is also particularly attractive due to its versatility and compatibility with reactive monomers and is begiiming to be used for commercial applications. However, there is ample evidence that nanocomposites can also be formed by melt processing in extruders. There are many reasons why melt processing may be more preferred method for producing nanocomposites for commercial use. Additionally, other approaches, such as the sol-gel proeess [44, 47] and monomer/polymer grafting to clay layers, have resulted in organie/inorganic polymer hybrids. 

Vented extruders are significantly different from non-vented extruders In design and in functional capabilities. A vented extruder is equipped with one or more openings (vent ports) in the extruder barrel, through which volatiles can escape. Thus, the vented extruder can extract volatiles from the polymer in a continuous fashion. This devolatilization adds a functional capability not present in non-vented extruders. Instead of the extraction of volatiles, one can use the vent port to add certain components to the polymer, such as additives, fillers, reactive components, etc. This clearly adds to the versatility of vented extruders, with the additional benefit that the extruder can be operated as a conventional non-vented extruder by simply plugging the vent port and, possibly, changing the screw geometry. 

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