Patent ID: 7928158

Claim:
A nanocomposite composition comprising: a) from 0.5 weight percent to 50 weight percent of an exfoliated layered silicate material; b) from 0.5 to 15 weight percent of a copolymer, wherein said copolymer has a weight average molecular weight from 2,500 to 250,000 and consists essentially of: (1) 0.5 to 20 percent by weight of monomer units selected from the group consisting of ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid anhydrides, and derivatives thereof; (2) 1 to 40 percent by weight of monomer units selected from styrene and functionalized styrene; and (3) 40 to 98.5 percent by weight of monomer units selected from the group consisting of C 1-8 alkyl acrylates and methacrylates, and vinyl acetate; c) from 10 to 90 weight percent of a thermoplastic polymer or copolymer matrix; and d) one or more additional additives, including at least one impact modifier; wherein the total of a), b), c) and d) adds up to 100 weight percent.