SPOTLIGHT NEW MATERIALS
COULD GRAPHENE UPGRADE THE FASTENER BUSINESS? When it comes to the applications of wonder material graphene, the surface has only just been scratched. First Graphene is one of those developing the material for industrial uses, with implications for the fastener, tool and related industries…
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fter First Graphene Limited pioneered a world‐first process to produce wonder material graphene at high volume and consistent quality, the company has focused on a broad range of industrial applications. Graphene has the potential for use in coatings, composites and concretes and qual‐ ities that are bound to widen the eyes of those in the fastener and fixings business, including corrosion resistance and anti‐vibration properties, as well as considerable advantages in lubrication and the extension of wear life. It seems highly likely graphene will come to play a bigger part in the industry, across many sectors. WHAT IS GRAPHENE? Graphene is the thinnest material ever isolated. It consists of single layers of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal network, and this unique structure gives rise to a range of outstanding physical properties, including: Strength > 200 times stronger than steel at the same thickness Flexibility > Can stretch up to an additional 20 per cent of its length Barrier > Completely impermeable, even to helium gas Electrical conductivity > More than 1 million times more conductive than copper Thermal conductivity > Up to 5,000W/mK (watts per metre‐kelvin) in all directions, compared to around 400W/mK for copper Highly transparent > Due to its single layer properties, graphene only absorbs about 2.3 per cent of visible light With such properties, graphene can be a highly valuable addi‐ tive to enhance a broad range of materials. GRAPHENE BACKGROUND Graphene was first isolated in 2004 by scientists at the Univer‐ sity of Manchester, however production of commercial volumes was hampered for many years due to difficulties in producing consistent size product. That was until First Graphene Limited developed a proprietary process, using high purity graphite, that enabled precise control over production quality. The company markets a range of prod‐ ucts for various applications under the PureGRAPH® brand.
Another key challenge for graphene manufacturers is how to adequately disperse graphene through various materials. First Graphene has carried out extensive research and devel‐ opment to devise various methods and now provide Pure‐ GRAPH® in a range of formats including powders and pastes, as well as a newly released pelletised masterbatch product specifically for use in thermoplastics. The company has the capability to produce 100 tonnes of its graphene products a year from a manufacturing facility in Western Australia, and has the capability to quickly scale up as demand increases. USES Initially, the focus of graphene research was centred on high‐tech applications such as precision electronics and the aerospace industry. However, with the ability to manufacture consistent quality product at volume, First Graphene has shifted its focus to a broad range of industrial applications including > Coatings Anti-corrosion for steel and aluminium Fire retardant coatings Low friction coatings Anti-static and electrical conductive coatings Wear resistant coatings Weathering resistance EMI shielding Elastomers Wear linings in mining Specialist footwear Abrasive resistant PU wear products Rubber mats Conveyor belting Pipe linings Miscellaneous wear components Composites Swimming pools Surfboards Construction parts Automotive parts Aeronautical applications Boats Wind turbines (blades and components) Concrete/Cement Cement production – in particular for lower clinker factor cements and products Concrete Concrete products such as blocks, tiles, pavers Bagged cement products such as grouts, mortars, renders, flooring screeds, repair compounds
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