U.S. Develops High Barrier MXD6 Nylon

U.S. MGC (Mitsubishi Gas Chemical) has developed MXD6 semi-aromatic nylon barrier resin. The nanoclay material used in this new product has significantly increased barrier properties against oxygen, CO2, and water vapor. This nanocomposite has high transparency and is suitable for use as a core layer in multi-layer PET bottles, such as beer bottles, carbonated soft drink bottles and food packaging. The new product, Imperm 103, is made of clay particle modified MXD6 from Arlington Heights, Illinois, USA. This material has a 4-fold increase in oxygen barrier performance and double CO2 barrier properties compared to unmodified MXD6 nylon. Moisture resistance is two times higher than PET bottles. Imperm 103 can adhere PET bottles without a cushion. This 1.2 g/cm3 density resin still retains most of the properties of the unmodified MXD6 nylon. The company also plans to produce MXD6/nanoclay materials, which are mainly used in automotive oil tanks and other gas barriers.