Graphene in Commercial Aerospace
Commercial aerospace needs materials that save weight without giving up strength, durability or safety. Graphene is studied as a small addition to the polymers and composites aircraft already use.
Our aerospace polymer work
Working with Advanced Armor Research Group (AARG), we developed graphene-integrated polymers and composites. They were evaluated with V50 ballistic testing at the NTS Chesapeake ballistic and materials testing facility in Belcamp, MD. Read the aerospace polymers press release.
Where graphene is being explored in aircraft
- Structural composites: graphene in resins and fiber-reinforced composites for stiffer, tougher parts.
- Lightning strike and static protection: graphene's conductivity is studied for composite skins that need to carry current.
- De-icing: conductive graphene layers can act as thin heating elements.
- Coatings: for corrosion and wear protection.
- Thermal management: spreading heat in avionics.
What we can and can't claim today
We don't publish data on aircraft weight or fuel savings. Aerospace materials go through long qualification programs before they fly, and any weight saving depends on the part, the design and the qualification results.
Learn more
Contact us to test graphene in your composite.