Choosing a graphene supplier is harder than it looks, because "graphene" covers a wide range of materials and forms, and claims about performance are easy to make. If you are a manufacturer looking to add graphene to a product, these ten questions help you compare suppliers on what matters. We answer each one for Graphene Integrations, a US graphene manufacturer in Charlotte, NC.
1. In what form is the graphene supplied?
Powder, paste, masterbatch and dispersion are all sold as "graphene". Each needs a different amount of work on your side. We supply graphene only pre-dispersed in a liquid carrier, never as dry flake or powder.
2. Can it be supplied in my carrier?
Graphene is most useful when it arrives in the material you already use. We disperse graphene in water, solvents, resins and oils. Tell us your carrier and application and we will say what we can make.
3. What test data backs the claims?
Ask who ran the test, on what material, and what it was compared with. Our published results are: up to 42% less wear and 26% higher weld load in independent testing at Univar's Houston lab, a 67% gain in concrete compressive strength at about a 1% dose in testing, and +6% to +18% higher heat transfer coefficient than a glycol baseline in our internal pumped-loop tests. We say which results are internal and which are independent.
4. What does the supplier not claim?
A good supplier is clear about gaps. We do not publish engine fuel-economy or oil-life figures, aircraft weight savings, or any performance figures for graphene rebar, which is in development.
5. Will they test with me before I commit?
Look for a sample and trial process. Ours is: tell us your product, receive quoted R&D samples, test against your own baseline, then scale up.
6. What documents come with the product?
You should receive a spec sheet and a Safety Data Sheet. Each of our product pages has a short spec sheet summary, and the full spec sheet and SDS are available on request.
7. Where is it made?
For some buyers, US production matters for lead times and quality control. Our operation, from research and development to production, is in Charlotte, North Carolina.
8. Can they scale with me?
A good sample is only the start. Ask about pre-production batches and high-volume supply. We scale up once your trial works.
9. How is pricing handled?
Graphene products vary widely by form and volume, so many suppliers quote each order. Our pricing and samples are quote-only.
10. Is the intellectual property described accurately?
Be wary of the word "patented" unless a patent has actually been granted. Where we have filed, we say "patent pending", for example for ThermaGraph™ coolants.
Ready to compare? See our graphene products, learn what a graphene dispersion is, or read about graphene manufacturing in the USA. We also supply manufacturers outside the US; see global graphene supply.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy graphene in the USA?
Graphene Integrations makes graphene in Charlotte, NC and sells it pre-dispersed in the carrier you need. Request a quote, samples or a spec sheet through our form.
Do you sell graphene powder?
No. We sell graphene only pre-dispersed in a liquid carrier, never as dry flake or powder.
Do you ship outside the US?
Yes. We supply manufacturers outside the US with graphene pre-dispersed in their carrier, with SDS and export documents. See global graphene supply.
Request a quote, samples or a spec sheet
Tell us your material, the property you want to improve, the carrier you use (water, solvent, resin or oil) and your volumes. Pricing and samples are by quote. Call 704-659-3682 or request a quote, samples or a spec sheet / SDS.
