Breakthrough in graphene-reinforced composites

Since its discovery in 2004, much doubt still remains about the commercial reality in delivering graphene so that its alleged miracle properties can be realized in products and applications. The results of new research represent a step forward for graphene in terms of realizing its potential in aerospace composite materials.

Haydale, the developer of a unique plasma functionalization process for nanomaterials, has research – conducted by the Material Science Department at AeroSpace Corp. – showing its functionalized graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) significantly improve the nanoreinforcement of resin and improve the strength of toughened epoxy composites. The increases are more than double in tensile strength and modulus of an epoxy composite using a number of HDPlas O2-functionalized GNP, manufactured by Haydale. Increasing the amounts of GNP resulted in strength increases of more than 125% and toughness improvements of 100% over that of similarly cured, unreinforced material.

The results underline the potential Haydale’s tailored, plasma functionalization process has for realizing graphene’s potential. The Haydale plasma functionalization process has the potential to offer the tailored functionalization of graphene nanomaterials while maintaining structural integrity, eliminating a key barrier to commercialization.

The research aimed to determine whether properties such as matrix material composition, the degree of exfoliation of grapheme, and the filler concentration, size, aspect ratio, and treatment method, could maximize the physical potential of the matrix material. The GNP nanofiller material was plasma-treated using the HDPlas O2-functionalized process before being incorporated into the epoxy resin. Once the composite material had been manufactured, it was analyzed and the effects of GNP loading on mechanical performance were assessed.

Ray Gibbs, CEO of Haydale, comments, “Graphene nanomaterials are gaining enormous interest as a new class of reinforcement for nanocomposites, promising revolutionary electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. The results presented in the new research represent a step forward for the graphene industry in terms of realizing graphene’s potential in the composites market, and further highlights that functionalization via plasma is the key to realizing graphene’s potential. Following this research, we intend to test our functionalized nanomaterials in further research projects with both raw material producers and end-application manufacturers.”

Graphene has such fantastic potential to transform the composites industry but requires specific functionalization without damaging the material structure or adding impurities. In order to optimize the material’s properties, good dispersion and structural uniformity of the nanoparticles is the key to making real progression.

Graphene is highly inert, and is subsequently difficult to bond it with or disperse it within other materials. Current methods for functionalizing graphene involve thermal and chemical shocking agents which, while allowing for scalable production, can cause significant damage to the material’s structure, leading to defects in the final product.

Haydale 
www.haydale.com

The Aerospace Corp. 

www.aerospace.org