ADDITIVES | NANOCOMPOSITES
cost-effective dispersion of graphene in thin films has been a challenge, but Techmer PM’s advanced dispersion technology, Techsperse, ensures optimal graphene distribution for consistent and repeatable properties. The companies recently reported results from a
study that identified optimal dosing of the xGnP masterbatch for a 1-mil PE film and then compared physical properties of this reference film with 10% and 20% downgauging. The optimal let-down ratio was 1%. “The optimal dose is also close to the minimal
dose, keeping additive cost per kilogram of film low, and at these low let-down ratios the impact on the rest of the formulation (density, slip/antiblock balance, pigmentation) is negligible,” the authors wrote in a white paper. The additive improves both strength and elongation (eg, toughness) and more than doubled thickness-normalized puncture resistance. These improvements allow downgaug- ing. In addition, the study found that graphene is most effective in thinner films, because the higher shear and elongational stresses produced during thin film production break residual agglomerates, improving stress transfer.
UK capacity expansion Ontario, Canada-headquartered Black Swan Graphene completed a production expansion at its facility located in Consett, UK this spring that more than tripled its annual production capacity to more than 140 tonnes of graphene nanoplatelets. The expansion will support production of Black Swan’s GraphCore GNPs, which serves as the foundation of the company’s Graphene Enhanced Masterbatch (GEM) products, targeted for polymer nanocom- posites. The masterbatch format removes barriers associated with dispersion and compatibility, the company said. The new commercial facility uses a GEA industrial homogenizer specifically customized for Black Swan’s proprietary high-shear liquid-phase exfolia- tion process. The two companies collaborated on the custom equipment over the past 12 years. “The completion of this capacity expansion
marks a major inflection point for the company,” said Michael Edwards, Chief Operating Officer of Black Swan. “We have transitioned from pilot-scale development to full industrial-scale manufacturing. With this facility fully operational, we are well positioned to meet growing global demand for
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