Graphene 3D printing: introduction and market status - Page 6

Graphene 3D Lab, a leader in the development, manufacturing and marketing of proprietary composites and coatings based on graphene and other advanced materials, has announced an addition to its G6-Epoxy line of adhesives. This new product, G6E-GSTMepoxy, is a highly electrically conductive adhesive based on the combination of graphene and silver additives. It reportedly has a volume resistivity as low as 0.0001 Ω·cm and can be cured at room temperature or more rapidly at elevated temperatures. G6E-GSTM bonds well to a wide variety of substrates including metals, composites, ceramics, and glass.

The graphene filler is said to enhance the electrical conductivity of the epoxy and prevent the propagation of cracks, improving the material’s durability and fatigue resistance. This is especially important when bonding dissimilar materials subjected to rapid temperature variations. This feature improves impact resistance of the bond and also helps mitigate potential damage caused by vibration.

Metalysis, a UK-based company focused on commercializing its proprietary electrochemical metal powder manufacturing technology, announced that it has successfully synthesized graphene using its process, with commercialization targeted towards 2017.

It was said that single-layer sheets of graphene have been synthesized at Metalysis’ industrial processing facilities, as well as bilayer and low multi-layer amalgamations. Metalysis stated that Producing graphene could enable Metalysis to add new, lucrative markets to those it is already serving; markets in which our arrival could be highly disruptive when global product demand is considered against the sheer amount of graphene we could produce in conjunction with our Gen 4, and later Gen 5 modular expansions, Vaughan said. Gen 5, by way of illustration, envisages scaling up production capability for highly profitable niche multi-metal powders to thousands of tonnes per annum.

Researchers at MIT have designed a strong and lightweight material, by compressing and fusing flakes of graphene. The new material, a sponge-like configuration with a density of just 5%, can have a strength 10 times that of steel. This work could pose an interesting way of transforming graphene into useful 3D objects and items.

The team developed the product by using a combination of both heat and pressure, compressing and fusing the flakes of graphene together. This process produced a strong, stable structure whose form resembles that of some corals and microscopic creatures called diatoms. These shapes, which have an enormous surface area in proportion to their volume, proved to be remarkably strong.

Graphene 3D Lab, a leader in the development, manufacturing and marketing of proprietary composites and coatings based on graphene and other advanced materials, recently unveiled a new product developed from the G6-Impact material while presenting at the Graphene Malaysia 2016 Conference.

The new Graphene/Carbon Fiber based FDM filament will be marketed as "G6-ImpactTM filament". The G6-Impact filament will feature semi-rigidness prints with outstanding vibration damping and shock absorbing properties. The G6-ImpactTM filament will be targeted towards engineers and professional 3D printing users interested in the areas of vibration damping, thermoformed parts, and printing models or prototypes for use in the automotive, construction, robotics, or aerospace industry.

Graphene 3D Lab recently announced that it has developed an innovative graphene composite material that was given the trade name "G6-ImpactTM", intended for users in the automotive, robotics, drone, aerospace industries and military sectors. G3L has filed a provisional patent application covering methods of production and formulation as well as the potential applications of the G6-ImpactTM material.

The new material reportedly features excellent rigidity and extraordinary absorption for both impact and vibration. Its high performance is ensured by G3L's proprietary formulation and production method. G6-ImpactTM will be an optimal material for applications where vibration damping is required on rigid surfaces, which could include sporting gear, power tools handles, automotive parts, and aerospace components.

Graphene 3D Lab, a leader in the development, manufacturing and marketing of proprietary composites and coatings based on graphene and other advanced materials, recently announced the release of a new product. The Company will now offer a filament for 3D printing that is both highly electrically conductive and flexible.

G3L reports that the enhanced properties of this product make it ideal for applications involving flexible sensors, electromagnetic/radiofrequency shielding, flexible conductive traces and electrodes to be used in wearable electronics. This new material will be available for purchase in 1.75mm diameter 100 gram spools at the Company's on-line store, www.blackmagic3D.com, under the trade name of "Conductive Flexible TPU Filament".

Italy-based Directa Plus announced the launch of GRAFYLON 3D, a graphene-enhanced filament for 3D printing. The new product has been developed in collaboration with FILOALFA, a division of Ciceri de Mondel that specializes in producing filaments used in 3D printing, and is now commercially available. RAFYLON® 3D is available starting today for purchase directly from the FILOALFA website and from FILOALFA’s dealers.

GRAFYLON 3D is a new generation of polylactic acid-based (PLA) filament containing Directa’s graphene-based product. In 3D printing, hundreds or thousands of layers of material are printed layer upon layer using various materials, most commonly plastic polymers such as PLA filaments. The inclusion of the company's Graphene Plus enhances the filament’s properties, while reportedly maintaining a competitive price. During testing, the following improvements in performance compared with non-graphene-based 3D filaments were observed:

Haydale recently declared the planned acquisition of Innophene, a Thailand-based graphene-enhanced conductive ink and composites manufacturer, in an all-share deal for approximately £311,665. The acquisition marks a significant step in UK-based Haydale Graphene Industries’ expansion into the Asian market, since Innophene’s access to The Thailand Science Park in Bangkok, with its extensive analytical and processing capabilities, provides a platform for it to become the Group’s Far East Centre of Excellence.

Innophene, founded in 2011, has developed (in conjunction with the Thailand National Science & Technology Development Agency) a one-stage exfoliation/dispersion process to create a range of graphene-enhanced transparent conductive inks for inkjet and other printing platforms. They have also now developed a graphene enhanced PLA (Poly-Lactic Acid) resin (commonly used in medical devices and 3D printing).

Haydale Composite Solutions (HCS), Haydale Graphene Industries' wholly owned subsidiary that specializes in the design, development and commercialization of advanced polymer composite materials, will be launching graphene-enhanced poly lactic acid (PLA) filaments for 3D printing at the TCT show in Birmingham on 28 and 29 September 2016.

HCS is collaborating with UK-based Filamentprint, a company specializing in the compounding and manufacture of thermoplastic filaments for 3D printing and Fullerex, Haydale's sales agent for its functionalized nanomaterials.

Scientists from Swinburne University in Australia have reportedly developed a new supercapacitor made from 3D printed graphene which can hold a larger charge of energy, is recharged in a matter of seconds and will last a very long time.

The supercapacitor is said to be extremely efficient, as it charges in a matter of seconds and holds a larger charge because it consists of multiple sheets of graphene creating a very large surface area to store energy on. What’s more, charging and discharging won’t degrade the battery’s quality, so they can last a very long time. These remarkable supercapacitors were first presented at Fresh Science Victoria 2016 earlier this year.