Graphene-infused polymer pellets and hydrogen liner


COMPOSITES


THE GOLDEN AGE OF GRAPHENE?


I


nitially dubbed the revolutionary ‘wonder material’ of the past decade, graphene is well-known in the engineering community for its


superior strength, electrical conductivity and transparency. So far, though, the material has struggled to live up to the initial hype surrounding it due to challenges in production and scaling up. As seen at JEC World, one company is working hard to change that, however, with very promising success. Founded in 2017 by Dr Mamoun


Taher, Graphmatech is an innovative Sweden-based materials company that infuses graphene into polymers and metals to create composite materials with remarkable properties. The key to success for the company’s multifunctional hybrid materials is its novel infusion process, says Cecilia Arhammar, head of research and development at Graphmatech. “We have developed a blending


process via extrusion where we heat up the plastic polymer and blend in the graphene in a way that is key to maintaining the material’s properties,” she explains. “To do this on a large scale is very complex. We have therefore designed a machine that enables a very good blend between the polymer thermoplastic material and the graphene, achieving good separation of the graphene plates.” The process for infusing metals


with graphene is slightly different, she continues, “We cover metal particles


Graphene-infused conductive pipes


with very thin sheets of graphene which enables us to fine-tune the properties of the metal powder. We have refined the process so that we can apply this to any process where powder is used.”


WIDESPREAD APPLICATIONS Graphmatech’s resulting polymer- graphene composites have the potential to reshape a wide range of applications, from conductive pipes and hydrogen infrastructure to industrial packaging. “Within aerospace, for example,


graphene can enhance the polymer vessels used for hydrogen storage,” Arhammar says. “This results in minimal leakage. As well as hydrogen storage tanks, graphene-infused thermoplastics could be widely used in applications like regular gasoline tanks and pressure vessels – any component that requires higher thermal and mechanical load would benefit from graphene-infused polymers. Protecting electronics is also a key area that we’re looking at. Additionally, there are currently a lot of limiting factors with packaging protection, such as oxygen, where graphene-infused composites could really make a difference.”


LESS HYPE, MORE REALITY The driving force for Graphmatech


is not just to push the boundaries of existing materials’ capabilities, but to also unlock new markets in pursuit of a greener industrial future. “We are positioned well in the


value chain as we focus solely on the application of graphene in polymers and metals in line with our customers’ needs,” Arhammar says. “The key is in managing our polymer extrusion process, which is very scalable with the right investment.” So, what’s next for Graphmatech


as the company looks to ramp up its capabilities? “Scaling up is key for us in order to provide the market with the materials that are needed,” she continues. “Beyond that, being able to improve, test and demonstrate new polymer parts in collaboration with our partners will be important. Certification is also key in this area. Looking at hydrogen specifically, there are a number of regulations that must be followed, and proof-of-concept for products will be vital here.” The company recently received


a Swedish grant for its hydrogen- focused solutions, prompting the company to set the goal of implementing its graphene-infused composites within 1,000 light commercial vehicles and 500 heavy commercial vehicles by 2027. Through this, the company hopes to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 50,000lbs per year. “Many people do not know that


hydrogen is actually an indirect greenhouse gas,” Arhammar adds. “It has a potential impact on the environment that is 11 times higher than that of CO2 over a 100-year period. This has to do with how methane is being contained within the atmosphere due to hydrogen preventing it from breaking down over time.” Therefore, the hydrogen sector will


form a key part of the company’s research and development efforts going forwards, as it seeks to play a pivotal role in the green transition towards smarter materials.


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