Research and development of high performance graphene based tools (research and development of the nanocomposite (PPA + graphene / graphene oxide / reduced graphene oxide) carbonUP)

Abstract

The global high performance alloy market was estimated at US $ 7.85 billion in 2016. Non-ferrous alloys already account for more than half of this market and a 4% CAGR growth in terms of volume is projected. Metal alloys have been used by the industry for a wide variety of applications, including the production of industrial tools. Copper-beryllium alloys are among the most used and are recognized for their high hardness, antistatic, anti-spark and non-ferromagnetic properties. Against the grain, Beryllium, one of the elements used in these alloys, is considered one of the most toxic in the periodic table; it is responsible for diseases such as berylliosis or chronic pulmonary granulomatosis; it is listed as a class A EPA carcinogen; has restricted production (USA, Russia and China); and is not considered environmentally safe. It is, therefore, an important occupational, public and personal health and environmental safety challenge. On the other hand, the development of high performance polymers has made it possible to replace these metal alloys, thanks to their great versatility in terms of processability, elimination of machining steps, design, low weight, cost, among others. Not only is good mechanical strength required from these polymers, but also additional properties such as antistatic and anti-sparking, wear resistance, dissipation and thermal and/or electrical conduction and weight reduction. These properties can be amplified and enhanced by the use of graphene and its derivatives. Thus, the research and development of polymeric nanocomposites offers the opportunity to provide high-performance materials and inputs for application in various areas of the industrial sector, such as special high-performance tools (industrial), automotive parts, electro-electronic materials, applications in the aerospace industry, oil and gas, among many others. The use of graphene and graphene oxide has great potential for improving these high-performance polymers. In this way, CarbonUP proposes to research and develop a new Polymeric NanoComposite, based on the polyphthalamide polymer (PPA) with Graphene (G) and Graphene Oxide (GO), to be applied initially in the production of high performance industrial tools, with properties anti-sparking and antistatic, appropriating the disruptive qualities of graphene, providing greater physical and occupational safety, environmental security and making high performance products available through the border technology, with technical, economic and commercial viability. The successful execution of the project will allow the development of new products for several other industrial and commercial segments, expanding the potential market for technology. To achieve the expected results, PPA, graphene and graphene oxide will be acquired and characterized. Then, formulations with different percentages of G and GO will be produced and evaluated for their anti-spark and anti-aesthetic properties. Formulations with functional aspects equal to or greater than copper-beryllium metal alloys will then be characterized in relation to tensile and impact resistance, density, thermal and electrical conductivity. (AU)