Applied Graphene Materials sees success in tailgate collaboration

The AIM-traded firm said the product was being presented by Magna at the 2018 JEC conference in Paris.

It said the collaboration saw Magna enhance the tailgate of W Motors' performance-focused supercar using its graphene-enhanced ‘Epoxy Prepreg’, supplied by Applied’s commercial partner SHD.

The development followed the launch of a range of Applied graphene-enhanced prepreg materials by SHD in March last year, with SHD subsequently developing a graphene-enhanced epoxy prepreg system - MTC9810.

“MTC9810 is a tangible demonstration of the ease by which AGM's ‘process-ready’ graphene dispersions can be adopted by the composites industry, with minimal disruption to existing manufacturing routes, and deliver cost effective performance gains,” the Applied board explained in its statement.

It said MTC9810 was supported by a “strong” mechanical database that exhibited “outstanding” mechanical properties, particularly in fracture toughness, interlaminar shear strength and fatigue life.

Included in Magna's design, the MTC9810 prepreg aimed to mechanically enhance the W Motors Fenyr SuperSport tailgate by offering increased torsional stiffness, interlaminar shear strength and laminate fracture toughness, in addition to improved surface finish, in-service fatigue life and enhanced properties under hot and wet conditioning.

The board said the first successful collaboration project had enabled it to develop a strong baseline knowledge to take graphene technology further.

It said the long-term aim of the collaboration team was to build on the delivered baseline mechanical enhancements, and ultimately move towards designing in many of graphene's multi-functional capabilities on future joint development programmes, to offer additional benefits such as extended life moisture barrier performance, conductivities and even energy storage.

“I am delighted that Applied Graphene Materials graphene enhanced composite materials have been showcased on automotive end products at the JEC,” said chief executive Jon Mabbitt.

“We are confident that Applied’s graphene can deliver significant benefits to the composites sector and we are pleased to be making progress towards application in a number of end industries through our valuable collaborations with industry partners such as SHD and Magna.”

Dr Joseph J Laux, global director of material science for exteriors at Magna Exteriors, added that graphene represented an “exciting” new technology, with early application successes requiring strong and open collaboration.

“Our Global Materials Science Group selected working with Applied, and adopting SHD's prepreg material, because of their early innovation lead and undoubted commitment to support ongoing materials developments and technology optimisation,” Dr Laux explained.