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A linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) nanocomposite film with organically modified clay (Cloisite 30B) as a filler and LLDPE-grafted-maleic anhydride as a modifier was prepared by extrusion film blowing. The thermal properties, as investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry, indicated increased crystallinity with enhanced thermal stability. Morphological attributes of nanocomposite films were demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy, and the thickness distribution of clay platelets was analyzed by kite plot. The radius of gyration (R g) of LLDPE chains is studied by small-angle X-ray scattering from the Guinier region. The analysis of tear fracture and its associated surface morphology was done by scanning electron microscopy. The oxygen transmission rate (OTR) and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) were measured for nanocomposite films. The 5 wt % clay-loaded nanocomposite film showed a ∼23.5 and ∼33.4% decrease in WVTR and OTR, respectively, compared to that of neat LLDPE films. The effect of crystallinity on tear energy and the influence of clay thickness in film transmittance on the barrier properties of various nanocomposite films with varied clay content were discussed. The paper demonstrated the correspondence between lower R g values and low platelet thickness, which in turn remained directly correlated to OTR and WVTR.

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There are several methods for the production of metal matrix nano composites including mechanical alloying, vertex process and spray deposition. However, the above processes are expensive. Solidification processing is a relatively cheaper route. However, during solidification processing nano particulates tend to agglomerate as a result of van der Waals forces and thus proper dispersion of the nano-particulate in metal matrix is a challenge. Many researchers dispersed nanoparticles in metal matrix by ultrasonic casting. However their technique has several drawbacks such as the oscillating probe, which is in direct contact with liquid metal, may dissolve in the liquid metal and contaminate it. Moreover, the extent of dispersion is not uniform. It is maximum near the probe and gradually decreases as one move away from the probe. Lastly in the method developed by them, the oscillating probe is removed from the liquid metal before cooling and solidification begin. It may lead to partial reagglomeration of nanoparticles. To overcome these difficulties a non-contact method, where the ultrasonic probe is not in direct contact with the liquid metal, was attempted to disperse Nano-sized Al2O3 particulates in aluminium matrix. In this method the mold was subjected to ultrasonic vibration. The crystallite size of Al2O3 was mostly below 10 nm. Nano composite having 1-1.5 wt. % of Al2O3 was cast. From HRTEM studies it is observed that the Al2O3 particles are distributed uniformly except the grain boundaries. In micro scale the hardness is uniform throughout the samples. This is due to cavitation process as well as pushing of the nano-particles during the growth of the grains. In the present study it accounts all first-order effects i.e., phase change, bubble dynamics, turbulent pressure fluctuations, and noncondensable gases for deaglomeration and distribution of particles throughout the domain to get uniform distributions.