Functionalized graphene as structural fortifier for polymers and coatings

Important results from the project

The goal is to achieve optimum in both tribological performance and the anti-corrosion properties with the enhancement of functionalized graphene. Milestone for WP3: stable water-borne coating formulat ions with FG with increased lifetime in wear resistance test of at least 50% has been achieved. Milestone for WP4: End-user test with increased life time in the salt test hours by 50%. End-user test is undergoing. The project is being run by several other companies and academic research partners, which has improved our collaboration and enables Swedish suppliers.

Expected long term effects

Milestone: stable water-borne coating formulations with FG with increased lifetime in wear resistance test of at least 50% and Milestone : End-user test with increased life time in the salt test hours by 50% have been achieved. SHT, ANS, Chalmers and Alfa Laval understood more thoroughly about the use of graphene in product development. The corrosion protection of FG waterborne coating is found to be comparable to commercial two components solvent-based coating while FG coating is more environment-friendly. Therefore, the launch of FG coating onto market is promising.

Approach and implementation

The project is a continuation of the previous project ´Functionalized graphene-reinforced coating´. At the beginning of the project, a requirements specification for the formulation was produced. The formulation has been developed in an iterative process, by developing a new formulation and evaluating the result. The most promising formulation was finally tested on prototypes by the end user and evaluated according to the requirements specification. Most of the work has been carried out according to plan despite the COVID pandemic, however, tests at the end user have been delayed.