Adding Graphene Increases The Stretchability Of Rubber

The magical Graphene has made it to the front page again. UK based Indian scientist Dr Aravind Vijayaraghavan and Dr Maria Iliut have recently released a report which says that a little dose of graphene in Rubber could alter the properties of rubber in a vigorous way, thereby amplifying its benefits for human civilization. The report confirms that both elasticity and strength of the material increases by 50%, once the honey-comb molecule starts chemically reacting with it.

Application wise, rubber is prevalent in synthetic substances that we regularly use, be it a pencil eraser or a hair band. Thus, escalation in their property might help manufacturers to balance the amount in perfect notion. In the laboratory, scientists experimented with two different types of rubber, one being natural (made up of polyisoprene) and another artificial rubber known as polyurethane. It was found that in each of the cases Graphene worked as a booster.

graphene-rubber_soft_stretchy_strong
Graphene treated rubber: Soft, stretchy but strong
Leader of the Nano-functional Materials Group, Dr. Arvid explained that any soft and strong material is based on a matrix which fills up the soft part and a filler which is a primary component held responsible for providing strength and durability. According to the team’s report, irrespective of their natural or man-made origins, following the graphene treatment, the rubber made the fibre 50% stronger.

Highlighting the fusion, Dr Maria explained that rubber used in the experimental set up was in the form of a Graphene named as Graphene oxide which could stay stable in water. The chosen rubber also exhibited a useful property, resulting in a successful cohesion. Additionally, they expressed how graphene could form the bridge required in case of rubber, being both the thinnest and the strongest one. The research was undertaken due to an invitation from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to prepare better condoms. Besides contraceptives, the resulted customization could also be used to devise gloves, sportswear, medical devices and other amenities. The research was published in the “Carbon” journal.

Watch the Graphene made in Manchester to understand how it has changed the world:


Source: Graphene makes rubber more rubbery

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