Thermoplastics

Thermoplastics represent the majority of polymers produced today and are broadly split across three classes of material: standard plastics, performance plastics and high-performance plastics. The majority of thermoplastics produced are used in packaging and construction.

The largest polymers by market share are polyethylene (LLDPE, LDPE, and HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyurethane (PUR).

Haydale has been working in a number of application areas to unlock the potential of using graphene to enhance the performance of a range of thermoplastic systems.

Haydale’s functionalised graphene allows easy dispersion into polymers with good flowability and processability. When added to engineering thermoplastics, HDPlas graphene improves thermal conductivity and mechanical properties.

Another positive is that HDPlas graphene can be incorporated into engineering plastics at high levels without substantial increases in viscosity.

HDPE Masterbatch

Haydale’s nanomaterial enhanced masterbatch is a highly loaded mixture of a bespoke nanomaterial in High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), designed to deliver improvements to mechanical performance using nanomaterial reinforcement and enable lightweighting of plastic products; a key driver to reducing the carbon footprint of plastics and improving their environmental impact and sustainability.

The nanomaterial enhanced masterbatch provides the following improvements in mechanical performance at the recommended LDR:

• Tensile strength and modulus up to 24%
• Flexural strength and modulus up to 41%
• Impact strength up to 30%

Graphene Modified PEEK

The unique properties of graphene make it an excellent candidate for enhancing the performance of polymers such as PEEK.

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a high-performance polymer that is widely used in the aerospace, automotive and medical industries due to its excellent mechanical properties, thermal stability, and chemical resistance.

The addition of functionalised graphene to PEEK can enhance its mechanical and thermal properties even further, and in composites can improve thermal conductivity, tensile strength and Young’s modulus as well as enhanced anti-static properties.

Not only does graphene enhanced PEEK increase the possibilities of its use in more demanding environments, but the increased durability also reduces the need for frequent replacements and as a result there is less waste and impact on the environment.

PET Monolayer Film - HiBarFilm

This project is focused on developing nanomaterial enhanced monomaterial films in addition to nanomaterial enhanced coating products to increase barrier performance while maintaining recyclability. The functionalised nanomaterials are compounded directly into the plastics prior to filming to add barrier performance. The consortium involves Wells Plastics, BASF, Bangor University BioComposites Centre, Fre-Energy, Cambridge Nanomaterials Technologies, Dunbia and Parkside Flexibles. See: https://hibarfilm.co.uk/

Nano enhanced PLA Filament

Conductive PLA Filament

Haydale’s SynerG nanomaterial enhanced polylactic acid (PLA) filaments for 3D printing are improving the speed, strength, print quality and accuracy of 3D printed parts. Available in 1.75mm and 2.85mm on 1000g reels.

• Electrically conductive – 0.6 Ω. cm.
• 50% increase in Young’s modulus.
• 30% increase in the strength of the filament.
• 3x increase in thermal conductivity.
• High quality print and excellent first layer. adhesion and z-axis bonding.

Supertough PLA Filament

Haydale’s SynerG nanomaterial enhanced polylactic acid (PLA) filaments for 3D printing are improving the speed, strength, print quality and accuracy of 3D printed parts. Available in 1.75mm and 2.85mm on 750g reels.

• 35% increase in Young’s modulus of the filament.
• 25% increase in tensile strength and 45% increase in strain to failure of printed test specimens when printed in the z-direction.
• 3x increase in thermal conductivity.
• High quality print and excellent first layer adhesion and z-axis bonding.
• Improved dimensional stability.