Graphene is currently one of the most researched materials, both in the fields of science and industry.
Graphene, known as “Miracle material”, earned the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physics thanks to the researchers that carried out studies on this material: Kostya Novoselov and Andre Geim of the University of Manchester.
Its structure as you can see in the picture is composed of a lattice of hexagons made of carbon atoms that form microscopic sheets which shows a thickness of single atom dimensions (of carbon, naturally) and lateral extensions of tens microns.
Since its discovery in 2004, graphene showed outstanding and unique properties being considered indeed one of the most promising materials of the future.
This effectively two-dimensional material is ultra-thin, flexible, transparent, it has high electron mobility (15000 cm2V-1s-1 vs 1400 cm2V-1s-1for silicone), high mechanical strength (Young's modulus of 1000 GPa vs 200 GPa for steel), high thermal conductivity (5000 Wm-1K-1 vs 400 Wm-1K-1 for copper) and high surface area (theoretical maximum of 2600 m2/g).
We as PLASTANALISI laboratory are a support unit of the company NEVICOLOR SPA (www.nevicolor.it) joining a scaling-up project that involves graphene-based composite materials with the aim of formulating very high-performance nanocomposite polymers for technical and mechanical items produced with injection moulding technique.
Project no. 1, named as: "Research into the processes of rendering Graphene functional as enabling material for mechanical applications", involves another two highly specialised SMEs as well as NEVICOLOR (GHEPI and PENTACHEM) and forefront research centres ISOF-CNR and Laboratorio Mist ER.
Nevicolor together with Plastanalisi has been able to produce masterbatches with graphene and it investigates physical and mechanical properties by comparing them with graphene-based materials that are on the market.
We as PLASTANALISI have performed a series of small-medium scale extrusion tests on graphene-based polymeric material in order to test its processability by involving a co-rotating twin screw extruder.
Sample batches (10-50 kg) at different percentages of graphene content made of different polymer bases were created in order to investigate the enhanced characteristics given by the additive added to the polymer compound.
We were able to obtain these results that were related to the material thanks to the lab instruments we have and we were able to apply the following tests:
• Mechanical: Tensile (ISO 527), Flexural (ISO 178), Izod (ISO 180);
• Thermal: Vicat (ISO 306), HDT (ISO 75);
• Inflammability UL94;
• Density (ISO 1183);
• Hardness (ISO868);
These tests showed good results and paved the way to further tests and forthcoming relationships.
For more information and details about these processes, please contact us!