JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #95 - Special JEC Europe - March 2015 - 95

graphene

Graphene-based high-performance
composites via plasma functionalisation
Graphene has significant potential in the production of highperformance composite materials. Structures manufactured from
graphene-reinforced composites are considerably stronger and lighter
than those constructed from traditional materials such as metals,
wood and even plastics. This is particularly advantageous for aerospace and automotive applications as lighter vehicles will reduce
the consumption of fuel, while correspondingly lowering emissions.

T

he key to realising the full potential of graphene in composite
materials is homogeneous dispersion and chemical bonding with the
epoxy matrix. These properties are best
achieved by effective surface functionalisation of the graphene by plasma
treatment. Compared to other methods,
such as acid-based surface functionalisation, the low-temperature plasma
process offers a clean, low-energy technique which can utilize the full effects
of graphene in a cost- and environmentally-effective way. In order to utilise
graphene in any application, it must first
be appropriately functionalised so that
the end product can take full advantage
of its superior properties. The low-temperature plasma process offers the most
effective method of achieving graphene
functionalisation and harnessing the
true potential of graphene to create
high-quality products for the end user.

The evolution
of composite technology
Fibre-reinforced polymer composites are increasingly being used in a
wide range of applications to achieve

significant benefits. Compared to
traditional metal forming, composites
readily allow the manufacture of complex geometries which can reduce the
parts count and jointing requirements
compared to metals, with the benefits of
environmental durability, weight saving
potential, and high tolerance to damage
and mechanical loading. Recent developments that have promoted their usage
have been improved materials - resins,
fibres and structural weaves - as well as
major developments in manufacturing
processes, particularly in automated
processes, which have reduced manufacturing time and labour-intensive
processing.
An additional factor that can be
exploited is the additive nature of
manufacturing - both material and
structure are manufactured together by
combining the separate parts; therefore
further additions can be readily incorporated. These additions can range from

By
Ray Gibbs,
CEO,
Haydale

particulate additions to achieve some
enhancement in a physical property, to
functional additions that can improve
safety and reduce maintenance costs by
remote damage detection, self-repair or
in-service structural monitoring.
Demand for fibre-reinforced parts has
been increasing in certain industries,
including aerospace where manufacturers are constantly looking to produce
improved structures such as fuselages,
wing components and propellers for
aeroplanes to cut down on fuel costs
and emissions. In an effort to further
optimise mechanical properties while
attempting to reduce production costs,
interest has turned towards graphene.
Stronger than steel and with electrical and thermal conductivity greater
than copper and even silver, graphene
is the subject of over 11,000 patent applications worldwide, a number which
is likely to continue to grow. Since
graphene was isolated by Professors

About Haydale
Haydale has developed a patent-pending proprietary scalable plasma process
to functionalise graphene and other nanomaterials. This enabling technology
can provide Haydale with a rapid and highly cost-efficient method of supplying
tailored solutions to enhance applications for both raw material suppliers and
product manufacturers.

No95 March 2015 / jec

composites magazine 95
JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #95 - Special JEC Europe - March 2015

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