Oriented graphene enhanced multifunctional paint

Important results from the project

The aim of the project is to create a multifunctional paint with enhanced conductivity by adding graphene. With such a paint, there is potential to reduce the need for today´s conventional lightning strike protection and de-icing systems, thereby enabling reduced weight on the aircraft and with that a reduction in fuel consumption.

Expected long term effects

The graphene has been found to give a greatly increased conductivity of the epoxy-based paint. Through a laminate structure, it has been possible to exhibit a paint system with a very high directional conductivity. The paint layer also shows a metallic character in its conductivity. This shows the possibility of creating a paint system with very high conductivity that can potentially be used to replace today´s lightning strike protection.

Approach and implementation

The main focus during the first part of the project was to investigate the possibility of mixing graphene and powder-based paint in powder form. It turned out to be technically complicated, not least because the graphene used was not optimized for this type of application. When the the project instead focused on creating an optimized paint layer with other process technologies, very high conductivity were obtained. Conductivity in relation to temperature also shows that the paint layer has metallic properties which is clearly remarkabel.