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A method of improving the wear resistance of a polymer is disclosed comprising the steps of evenly dispersing an ultrafine inorganic particulate material in the polymer at a loading rate of 0.01 to 20 wt % of the total weight of the particulate polymer composite. The mixing or dispersing is preferab

A method of improving the wear resistance of a polymer is disclosed comprising the steps of evenly dispersing an ultrafine inorganic particulate material in the polymer at a loading rate of 0.01 to 20 wt % of the total weight of the particulate polymer composite. The mixing or dispersing is preferably carried out under sub-atmospheric pressure conditions to ensure little or no bubbles form in the mixture prior to curing.

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1. A method of forming a polymer-inorganic composite article comprising the steps of: mixing an inorganic submicron particulate material having a particle size from 1 nm up to 1000 nm in a polymer at a loading rate of 0.01 to 20 wt % of the total weight of polymer and inorganic material, the mixing

1. A method of forming a polymer-inorganic composite article comprising the steps of: mixing an inorganic submicron particulate material having a particle size from 1 nm up to 1000 nm in a polymer at a loading rate of 0.01 to 20 wt % of the total weight of polymer and inorganic material, the mixing step preventing the formation of gas bubbles in the mixture to provide a dispersion having a substantially even distribution of particulate material in the polymer wherein the mixing step includes milling the particulate material with the polymer under sub-atmospheric conditions;casting the dispersion into a mould; andcuring the mixture. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the milling at subatmospheric conditions is carried out to minimize the amount of agglomeration of dispersed particles and provide a substantially even distribution of particles in the polymer. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the mixing is carried out in a low shear regime having a Reynolds number less than or equal to 1000. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the mixing is carried out in a high shear regime having a number much greater than 1000. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the particulate material is coated or treated with a dispersing agent to match the hydrophobicity of the particles with the polymer. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the dispersing or compatibilizing agent is selected from the group consisting of non-alcohol or non amine aromatic solvent. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the mixing occurs at under vacuum conditions to ensure no bubbles are formed in the dispersion. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the mixing occurs under a pressure of less than one atmosphere to ensure no bubbles are formed in the dispersion. 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the mixing is conducted in a vacuum oven at a temperature above melting temperature and below the decomposition temperature of the polymer. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the mixing takes place in a vacuum up to 760 mm Hg with the level dependent on the viscosity of the dispersion. 11. The method of claim 3, wherein the particulate material is added to a solvent carrier prior to addition to the polymer to form a slurry. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the solvent is removed by evaporation from the dispersion and the dispersion is cured to form a composite substantially free of gas bubbles. 13. The method of claim 4, wherein the inorganic particulate material is dispersed in the polymer by milling the particulate material and polymer at a mill temperature, above the melting temperature resin but below the decomposition temperature of the polymer resin at a pressure below atmospheric pressure. 14. The method of claim 1, wherein after the mixing step polymerisation is initiated by the addition of an initiator and the dispersion cured. 15. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one other additive selected from the group consisting of anti-static agents, fillers, pigments, optical brighteners and UV brighteners are added to the dispersion prior to curing.