First Graphene Limited (ASX:FGR) has released its second dedicated masterbatch product designed for blending with a range of plastic and rubber materials.
A Masterbatch is a solid additive used in the plastics industry. It is a concentrated mixture of pigment, reinforcing material and/or other additives encapsulated within a suitable carrier resin, typically produced using extrusion technology.
The mixture is then cooled before being fed into a pelletiser to be cut and formed into chips. Masterbatches are formulated to allow product manufacturers to easily incorporate graphene additives into their manufacturing processes.
PureGRAPH MB-EVA is a graphene enhanced Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (VA) copolymer masterbatch, which utilises First Graphene’s few-layer, high-performing graphene additives.
The new formulation extends First Graphene’s masterbatch product range, increasing the potential applications.
Designed primarily for use in elastomers, such as rubber systems and plastics, as well as with thermoplastics, the high vinyl acetate content of the base polymer brings softness, flexibility and polarity.
The masterbatch formulation could also potentially be compatible with other systems including resins, waxes, adhesives, and oil and bitumen products, opening the way for manufacturers of a broad range of products to benefit from the addition of graphene.
The company has been working with third party masterbatch suppliers to develop its range of ready-to-use, graphene enhanced formulations.
Graphene enhanced masterbatches have the capability to provide a range of benefits to end products including increased mechanical performance, improved thermal and electrical conductivity, EMI shielding, increased barrier properties and fire retardancy.
Managing Director and CEO, Michael Bell, said PureGRAPH MB-EVA complements First Graphene’s range of powder additives, PureGRAPH AQUA and the recently released LDPE masterbatch. Custom PureGRAPH masterbatch options are also now available on request in a range of polymer options that can be tailored to specific materials or applications.
PureGRAPH MBEVA is the second ready-made masterbatch formulation released by the company and is designed to provide customers with an off-the-shelf, pre-dispersed graphene carrier that can be easily added to existing processing lines for incorporation into numerous products,” Mr Bell said.
“It is part of First Graphene’s strategy to help industry easily embrace graphene solutions and therefore build faster paths to market.”
