Chapter 2 Application of Non-Layered Nanoparticles in Polymer Modification 2 Surface Treatment and Compounding 2.1 Raw Materials 2.2 Regrafting of the Nanoparticles by Irradiation 2.3 Characterization of the Irradiation Products 8 2.4 Preparation of PP-Based Nanocom and Their Characterization 5 Preparation of Epoxy-Based Nanocomposites and Their Characterization 3 Thermoplastic Systems 3. 1 Effect of Irradiation Grafting Polymerization 3.2 Tensile Properties 3.3 Fractography Thermosetting Sys 4. 1 Interfacial Interactions in the Composites 4.2 Curing behavi riction and wear Performance 5 Conclusions 42 6 Acknowled 7 References Chapter 3 Reinforcement of Thermosetting Polymers by the Incorporation of Micro-and Nanoparticles 4 1 Introduction 2 Manufacturing of Thermosetting Nanocomposites 3 Properties of Nanocomposites 3. 1 Stress-Strain behavior 3.3 Stiffness-lmpact Energy Relationship 3.4 Dynamic Mechanical Properties 3.5 Wear Performance 4 Acknowledgements 670 5 References Chapter 4 Polyimides Reinforced by a Sol-Gel derived Organosilicon Nanophase: Synthesis and Structure-Property Relationships 1 Nanocomposites Based on Flexible-Chain Polymers 63 2 Nanocomposites Based on Semi-Rigid Chainvi Contents Chapter 2 Application of Non-Layered Nanoparticles in Polymer Modification 1 Introduction 2 Surface Treatment and Compounding 2.1 Raw Materials 2.2 Pregrafting of the Nanoparticles by Irradiation 2.3 Characterization of the Irradiation Products 2.4 Preparation of PP-Based Nanocomposites and Their Characterization 2.5 Preparation of Epoxy-Based Nanocomposites and Their Characterization 3 Thermoplastic Systems 3.1 Effect of Irradiation Grafting Polymerization on the Nanoparticles 3.2 Tensile Properties 3.3 Fractography 4 Thermosetting Systems 4.1 Interfacial Interactions in the Composites 4.2 Curing Behavior 4.3 Friction and Wear Performance 5 Conclusions 6 Acknowledgements 7 References Chapter 3 Reinforcement of Thermosetting Polymers by the Incorporation of Micro- and Nanoparticles 1 Introduction 2 Manufacturing of Thermosetting Nanocomposites 3 Properties of Nanocomposites 3.1 Stress-Strain Behavior 3.2 Impact Behavior 3.3 Stiffness-Impact Energy Relationship 3.4 Dynamic Mechanical Properties 3.5 Wear Performance 4 Acknowledgements 5 References Chapter 4 Polyimides Reinforced by a Sol-Gel Derived Organosilicon Nanophase: Synthesis and Structure-Property Relationships 1 Nanocomposites Based on Flexible-Chain Polymers 2 Nanocomposites Based on Semi-Rigid Chain Polymers (Polyimides)