National Composites Week: Q&A with Levidian’s Tim Blackmore
Levidian’s Head of Composites Tim Blackmore talks to us about graphene applications for the composites industry.
Firstly, can you tell us a little about composites and what makes them so important?
A composite is a combination of two or more materials that, when combined, create a final material or product. By selecting and combining materials you can create a material designed for a specific application. This might be to make something stronger, lighter, more flexible, or which provides improved electrical resistance.
Most people naturally think of fabric reinforced resin products; however, fillers can be added to thermoplastics and these are classified as composites as well.
Graphene can benefit a whole host of applications when used as an additive. How can graphene benefit composite applications specifically?
Graphene is the thinnest, strongest material ever discovered. It’s flexible, light, and corrosion resistant. Graphene hybrid mixes could create composite materials that result in more sustainable products. These materials could be incorporated into cars and aircraft, for example, to make them more lightweight, more fuel-efficient, stronger, and safer.
Can standard composite processes be employed with graphene enhanced materials?
The potential of incorporating graphene into composite production processes is huge and there are opportunities at various stages. For example, graphene could be incorporated in the composite parts themselves to make them stronger, to the resin to make it more durable, and tooling moulds to increase durability, and potentially improve business economics.
We’re actively working with specialist composite manufacturers to find innovative ways to incorporate graphene into standard production processes or find ways to add the material without expensive system changes. Our Joint Development Agreement with Adamant Composites is an example of this; they have developed spray deposition as an innovative way to add graphene to composite fabrics directly.
Graphene isn’t a simple ‘plug and play’ which is why Levidian approach every customers’ requirements in a consultative manner. Our Levidian Applied Technologies, who work collaboratively with customers and partners to develop graphene enhanced systems and products to exacting requirements.
Which industries in the composites sector do you feel could benefit the most from utilising graphene?
There are numerous industries that could reap the benefits offered from graphene, including both the physical and functional property enhancements. Take the wind sector for instance, graphene can increase the electrical conductivity and potentially assist with things like lightning strike protection. It can offer wind turbine protection from the elements, for example to help increase the longevity of turbine blades that must operate effectively in harsh environments. Graphene can be used to assist with managing electrostatic discharge, and has even found a use in improving de-icing properties.
We know the composites industry is huge. If graphene continues to find uses in composite applications, how can we ensure there is enough supply to meet demand? And how can we ensure this is sustainable?
Some forms of graphene are produced by exfoliating graphite - a naturally occurring form of carbon - which requires the material to be mined and shipped. Not all graphene is made in this way, like at Levidian. We produce graphene that is carbon negative by taking waste methane and processing it through our decarbonisation device LOOP. Using plasma chemistry, methane is cracked into its constituent atoms carbon and hydrogen. Our graphene is made “bottom-up” using the carbon atoms produced from harmful gas that would otherwise end up in our atmosphere.
This sustainability extends to composite manufacturers who use our graphene too, as it may mean that less material is required in their processes thanks to the impressive properties graphene offers. Not only can we see a reduction in overall material, but it means less energy is required for manufacturing.
We can see benefits further up the supply chain too. If less material is required, the carbon footprint of transporting materials is reduced due to lighter loads and lower fuel consumption. These are just a couple of examples; sustainable benefits could be realised at many stages of production processes and in the final products themselves!
About Tim
Tim has worked in sales for over 25 years, specialising in material and production processing across a range of industries including automotive, Formula 1, and renewable energy. He has extensive experience with new product introduction programs, Joint Development Agreements, and the commercialisation of advanced materials within the composite industry.
For more information about Levidian graphene and how we can help your business, please contact sales@levidian.com.