NeoGraf Solutions Launches Advanced Graphene’s Product Line
Wednesday, 23 March 2022
Graf-X ™ graphene nanoplatelets and precursors significantly improve strength, performance, and reliability.
LAKEWOOD, OH USA – NeoGraf Solutions, a leading developer and manufacturer of highperformance natural and synthetic graphite sheet and powder products, has extended its range of nextgeneration graphite materials with the launch of Graf-X ™ graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) and graphene precursors (GP). Both high-performance additive materials deliver enhanced mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity, thermal properties, and reliability in a broad range of composite, thermoplastic, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers (CASE) and energy storage applications.
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 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. “We’re leveraging our growing production capabilities and application development expertise to take graphene from the lab to large-scale commercial success,” said Jon Taylor, NeoGraf Product Manager. NeoGraf is a fully integrated graphene product supplier with a GNP capacity of more than 750 metric tons and a GP capacity of approximately 1300 metric tons at their facility in Lakewood, Ohio.
NeoGraf Solutions’ expanded product portfolio provides the industry with a source of highvolume, quality graphene nanoplatelets with sizing and specification options that can be tailored for
specific applications. The company also leverages its extensive sourcing and processing capabilities to supply graphene precursors, which are graphite products designed to enable efficient conversion into graphene materials.
Graf-X GNP and GP products are additive materials that enhance mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and thermal properties of thermosets and thermoplastics such as polypropylene (PP), polyamide (PA), polystyrene (EPS and XPS), polyethylene (HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE), polyvinylchloride (PVC), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
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 advanced graphene materials are commercially available and can be used in a range of plastic applications including electrically conductive fillers for electrostatic discharge (ESD) plastics in
automotive electronics and heat resistance additives for under-hood plastic components such as HVAC systems, water pump housings, and valve covers.
In CASE applications, graphene can achieve the properties of competitive materials such as conventional graphite, carbon black, aluminum oxide, boron nitride, and chromium at lower loading
levels. In marine coatings, GNPs are anti-corrosive and can improve a ship’s fuel efficiency by reducing drag due to hull biofouling. GNPs also prevent crack propagation in adhesives and deliver improved wear reduction over typical graphite in lubricant applications. The advanced graphene helps to solve general corrosion problems by offering a non-toxic alternative to corrosion-resistant materials containing chromium, cobalt, and cadmium.
The advanced graphene materials are commercially available and can be used in a range of applications including conductive additives for alkaline and lithium-ion battery cathodes and anodes, and as precursor materials for graphene production.
Energy storage applications are aided by the use of graphene on both the anode and cathode side of a battery cell to increase its specific energy (amount of energy stored per unit mass) and enhance electrical conductivity. This is particularly important for automotive applications where reduced vehicle weight can extend driving range.
The advanced graphene materials are commercially available and can be used in a range of applications including conductive additives for alkaline and lithium-ion battery cathodes and anodes,
and as precursor materials for graphene production.
In building and construction, Graf-X graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) can increase the strength of standard concrete by approximately 30% (flexural, compressive, and tensile) at a loading of just >1 wt% or less. GNPs also promote more resistance to cracking and thus extend product longevity.
GNP products provide corrosion resistance for rebar-reinforced concrete and serve as a barrier to water absorption, reducing maintenance and reliability costs associated with concrete structures. Cement production for concrete contributes ~8% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions today. These graphene additives can reduce the amount of material required to make concrete by 20% or more, resulting in a significant reduction in global carbon emissions. In insulative foams, graphene additives can increase the R-value (a measure of the foam’s thermal insulation properties) by 20% or more compared to the base foam.
The advanced graphene materials are commercially available and can be used in a range of applications including tensile strength enhancement in concrete admixtures and R-value increases in extruded polystyrene (XPS) insulation boards for home construction. For more information on Graf-X graphene products, please visit www.neograf.com.