Next-Generation Graphite for Thermoplastic and Composites Applications

Two high-performance additives extend the range of next-generation graphite materials from developer and manufacturer of high-performance natural and synthetic graphite sheet and powder products NeoGraf Solutions.  Both new Graf-X graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) and graphene precursors (GP) reportedly enhance mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and thermal properties of thermosets and thermoplastics such as PP, nylons, HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, EPS and XPS, PVC, and PET. These advanced additives can be used in a range of plastic applications including electrically conductive fillers for electrostatic discharge (ESD) plastics in automotive and aerospace electronics and heat resistance additives for underhood plastic components such as HVAC systems, water pump housings, and valve covers.

GNPs are ultra-thin, multilayer graphene nanoplatelets. Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal matrix that is high strength, super thin, and offers the highest electrical and thermal conductivity. GPs are graphite products designed specifically as a raw material for efficient high-volume production of graphene products through further processing.

The new graphene materials can increase the toughness of plastics by up to 2.5 times without a significant weight increase while a loading as small as 0.5 wt% can increase tensile strength by 15% or more. A graphene loading of 15% can double thermal conductivity and push the electrical conductivity of plastics into the anti-static and static-dissipative ranges. In composites formulations, loadings of <5 wt% of graphene can increase strength by 40%, improve stiffness by 20%, and elevate impact strength by 80%. Graphene can also improve the heat resistance of composites and provide noise reduction of up to 20%.

The launch of the Graf-X line is a transformational move for NeoGraf Solutions which has more than 140 years of product leadership and innovation in the carbon and graphite industry. Said product manager Jon Taylor, “We’re leveraging our growing production capabilities and application development expertise to take graphene from the lab to large-scale commercial success. NeoGraf is a fully integrated graphene product supplier with a GNP capacity of more than 71.7 millon lbs and a GP capacity of approximately 2.8 million lbs at their facility in Lakewood, Ohio.