BSI launches new guide for graphene, the 2D ‘wonder material’

September 5, 2018

-       Graphene, the 2D form of carbon, is 200 times lighter than steel and stronger than titanium. It was invented in 2004 at the University of Manchester

-       Defining the properties of graphene flakes is expected to help the material gain wider commercial awareness and acceptance, according to Dan Palmer,  Head of Manufacturing at BSI

Over the last decade there has been a huge interest in graphene, commercially and scientifically, due to the many exceptional properties associated with the material. Graphene is the world’s strongest and thinnest material, and an excellent conductor of heat and electricity.

BSI, the business standards company, has published a new guide to the properties of graphene flakes, PAS 1201. The guide, which is free to download, provides an explanation of the physical and chemical properties of graphene flakes, and advice on information manufacturers and suppliers of graphene should give to prospective users.

The importance of the discovery of graphene by two physicists at the University of Manchester was acknowledged by the award of the 2010 Nobel Prize for Physics, and initiated intense global activity in research and commercialization.

Dan Palmer, Head of Manufacturing at BSI, said: “PAS 1201 sets out the information that any manufacturer or interested party needs to understand about graphene before introducing this material to the manufacturing process. Standardizing the information that is made available about properties of graphene flakes is important in order for the commercial opportunities of graphene in the UK to be realized.”

PAS 1201 is relevant for users who wish to compare the basic properties of graphene flake materials from different manufacturers, who might use other manufacturing routes or post-treatments. Test equipment manufacturers, procurers, researchers, and policy makers may also find the document particularly useful.  

Graphene, the same material used in pencil lead, consists of a single layer of carbon atoms and is both pliable and transparent. Adding graphene to existing materials, such as plastic or steel, makes the composite correspondingly stronger and lighter.

Illustrations of the different stages for manufacturing graphene flakes and for impacting graphene material selection are included in PAS 1201, as well as a comprehensive list of industry-agreed terms and definitions.

PAS 1201:2018 Properties of Graphene Flakes – guide was sponsored by Innovate UK. The following organizations were also involved in its development as members of the Steering group: BAE Systems; Cambridge Nanomaterials Technology Ltd; Centre for Process Innovation Limited; DZP Technologies Ltd; Haydale; Iceni Labs Limited; Knowledge Transfer Network; National Physical Laboratory (NPL); PVI Industries; Thomas Swan & Co. Ltd; University of Warwick; Versarien plc.

PAS 1201 can be downloaded free of charge here: https://shop.bsigroup.com/ProductDetail/?pid=000000000030369508

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