Smart Sealants witih graphene: Monitoring Properties With Eddy-current Sensing
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 150 000 |
| Project duration | August 2021 - May 2022 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Strategic innovation program SIO Grafen |
| Call | Feasibility studies SIO Grafen spring 2021 - collaboration on commercial graphene applications |
Important results from the project
The objective of this project was to develop a conductive sealant based on graphene whose mechanical properties can be monitored with eddy-current sensors and correlated to sealing force and material properties without the need for electrodes. It was the goal of this project to correlate the change in material properties over time to the eddy-current signal obtained and this was achieved.
Expected long term effects
The result from the literature study showed that little has been done in the area of rubber and insulative material properties being monitored with eddy current methods. This has been mostly limited to characterization of metal materials. Samples were made by Trelleborg of EPDM rubber with a range of types and amounts of graphene and carbon black. The materials were exposed to accelerated aging and characterized in terms of physical properties, and eddy current sensor. The properties could be correlated to eddy-current signal without the need for electrodes.
Approach and implementation
First there was a literature review of what has been done in terms of sensors and sealants along with using eddy current sensing technology on polymer materials. Trelleborg produced a range of EPDM rubber sealants. A standard formulation was used with of carbon black of 10-40 wt% and measured by eddy-current technique. The 30 wt% carbon black formula was then modified with 0,5-5,5 wt% 25 um graphene flake. These were then aged and the samples measured for eddy current(EC) signal and mechanical properties before and after aging to correlate EC signal to the changing material properties.