Graphene’s commercialization has been slow due in part to its cost but also due to the complexity of producing it. One path to quicker utilization and wider adoption is combining graphene with existing materials to create new and better performing composites. Huntsman Advanced Materials says it aims to do that by incorporating graphene into its Araldite line of epoxy resins.

Epoxy resins, with a worldwide of market of about $13.5 billion, are thermosetting polymers known for their performance in different industrial applications for corrosion protection, thermal stability, mechanical strength, and moisture and impact resistance. Huntsman says the performance of these resins could be enhanced if combined with graphene for added strength, toughness, heat, and electrical conductivity.

Epoxy resins have a worldwide of market of about $13.5 billion,The company’s research involves using a low-temperature plasma, less than 100˚C, which activates and allows modification of the nanomaterial’s surface energy and enables dispersion into a host medium such as resin. Without using chemical acid treatments, which can cause damage and degrade functional performance, this process maintains the structural integrity and mechanical strength of the final product, the company says.

Taking test plates cast from the activated graphene mixed into master batches of various concentrations of Araldite epoxy resins, Huntsman says it has conducted a series of physical, electrical, and thermal tests in ongoing evaluation of the composite performance.

Huntsman says that initial results show that the graphene-reinforced resins offer greater dimensional and thermal stability in addition to improved impact resistance. One area identified for future development is electronic devices, where the electrical conductive properties of graphene-enhanced systems could help with electrostatic discharge and dispersion of excess heat, issues frequently linked to mobile phones and other portable devices.

Research continues into using graphene’s conductive properties in prepregs to improve the protection of composites against lightning strikes. In the future, it’s expected that there will be numerous application areas for structures prone to lightning strikes, such as aircraft, wind turbines and tall buildings.

Further, adding graphene into the composite mix could deliver parts with high surface energy, improving the performance of coatings and paint finishes and reducing the need for primers, the company says.