Is graphene the new steel?
Is graphene the new steel?
Graphene was first found and isolated at the University of Manchester in 2004 by physics professors Andre Geim and Kostya Novoselov. In fact, they won the Nobel Prize in Physics for their pioneering work. Since then, people have been abuzz about how it will revolutionise the construction, technology, and plenty of other industries. The fascination with this material lies in its incredible physical properties. But where is the proof that this material is so powerful?
What is graphene?
Graphene is a 2D form of carbon, consisting of extremely thin planar sheets. What is most surprising is that the professors managed to isolate the element from a large lump of graphite using sticky tape to peel away layers that were just one atom thick. When it was isolated, it was then down to researchers to find out how these thin layers of carbon might behave by themselves.
The properties of graphene
The main properties of graphene, which have led to so much excitement around the material, include:
- Very high electrical conductivity – more than copper.
- It is the strongest material ever discovered due to the strength of its 0.142 nm-long carbon bonds.
- Very lightweight at 0.77mg per square metre. The same amount of paper would be 1000 times heavier.
- It can retain initial size after strain.
- It is impermeable to lighter gases like helium and hydrogen.
- Transparency.
The miracle material
With amazing properties like this, graphene presents excellent promise in creating the building materials of the future. The University of Manchester has listed many other ways it could be used in future:
- To charge phones and cars in minutes.
- To create clean drinking water by developing graphene-based membranes.
- To targeted drug delivery, improve brain penetration, develop DIY health-testing kits, and create ‘smart’ implants in medicine.
- Creating ultra-sensitive sensors to detect dangerous particles in the environment.
No one has produced any of these situations yet, but they are in progress. So with all this potential, where is graphene in the real world?
Graphene in construction
The truth is, graphene could be a wonder material in construction. It could be used to create protective paints to stop corrosion; durable, flexible electronic screens that will hold up well at the building site, and there is even potential for spray-on solar panels. The substance could be used to enhance the strength and longevity of steel, but can it replace steel? Not right now.
There needs to be more research into the uses of graphene so that its implementation is safe. While it can help make other materials stronger, replacing steel will be difficult. Firstly, it seems to want to stay two-dimensional. Without being able to translate it into 3D, it cannot become the building block of construction. However, this might be beginning to change. Researchers at MIT used computer modelling to design a new, nameless, material from graphene, in a sponge-like configuration. It is 5% the density of steel and ten times as strong.
Even if it can become a key building block, the current ways of artificially producing it are hugely expensive. It would not be cost-effective to build with it for a long time. So, until then, the power of graphene is in its potential, and potential can’t yet compete with the real-life power of steel.
At Inscape, we immerse ourselves in every aspect of construction so that when it comes to providing you with impeccable manufacturing services, we know how to be the best. Get in touch with us today on 0845 230 8565 for more information.