Graphene composites: introduction and market status
What are composite materials?
Composite materials (also referred to as composition materials, or simply composites) are materials formed by combining two or more materials with different properties to produce an end material with unique characteristics. These materials do not blend or dissolve together but remain distinct within the final composite structure. Composite materials can be made to be stronger, lighter or more durable than traditional materials due to properties they gain from combining their different components.
Most composites are made up of two materials - the matrix (or binder) surrounds a cluster of fibers or fragments of a stronger material (reinforcement). A common example of this structure is fiberglass, which was developed in the 1940’s to be the first modern composite and is still in widespread use. In fiberglass, fine fibers of glass, which are woven into a cloth of sorts, act as the reinforcement in a plastic or resin matrix.
While composite materials are not a new concept (for example, mud bricks, made from dried mud embedded with straw pieces, have been around for thousands of years), recent technologies have brought many new and exciting composites to existence. By careful selection of matrix and reinforcement (as well as the best manufacturing process to bring them together) it is possible to create significantly superior materials, with tailored properties for specific needs. Typical composite materials include composite building materials like cement and concrete, different metal composites, plastic composites and ceramic composites.
How are composite materials made?
The three main factors that help mold the end composite material are the matrix, reinforcement and manufacturing process. As matrix, many composites use resins, which are thermosetting or thermosoftening plastics (hence the name ‘reinforced plastics’ often given to them). These are polymers that hold the reinforcement together and help determine the physical properties of the end composite.
Thermosetting plastics begin as liquid but then harden with heat. They do not return to liquid state and so they are durable, even in extreme exposure to chemicals and wear. Thermosoftening plastics are hard at low temperatures and but soften with heat. They are less commonly used but possess interesting advantages like long shelf life of raw material and capacity for recycling. There are other matrix materials such as ceramics, carbon and metals that are used for specific purposes.
Reinforcement materials grow more varied with time and technology, but the most commonly used ones are still glass fibers. Advanced composites tend to favor carbon fibers as reinforcement, which are much stronger than glass fibers, but are also more expensive. Carbon fiber composites are strong and light, and are used in aircraft structures and sports gear (golf clubs and various rackets). They are also increasingly used to replace metals that replace human bones. Some polymers make good reinforcement materials, and help make composites that are strong and light.
The manufacturing process usually involves a mould, in which the reinforcement is first placed and then the semi-liquid matrix is sprayed or poured in to form the object. Moulding processes are traditionally done by hand, though machine processing is becoming more common. One of the new methods is called ‘pultrusion’ and is ideal for making products that are straight and have a constant cross section, like different kinds of beams. Products that of thin or complex shape (like curved panels) are built up by applying sheets of woven fiber reinforcement, saturated with matrix material, over a mould. Advanced composites (like those which are used in aircraft) are usually made from a honeycomb of plastic held between two sheets of carbon-fiber reinforced composite material, which results in high strength, low weight and bending stiffness.
Where can composites be found?
Composite materials have many obvious advantages, as they can be made to be lightweight, strong, corrosion and heat resistant, flexible, transparent and more according to specific needs. Composites are already used in many industries, like boats, aerospace, sports equipment (golf shafts, tennis rackets, surfboards, hockey sticks and more), Automotive components, wind turbine blades, body armour, building materials, bridges, medical utilities and others. Composite materials’ merits and potential assures ample research in the field which is hoped to bring future developments and implementations in additional markets.
Modern aviation is a specific example of an industry with complex needs and requirements, which benefits greatly from composite materials’ advantages. This industry raises demands of light and strong materials, that are also durable to heat and corrosion. It is no surprise, then, that many aircraft have wing and tail sections, as well as propellers and rotor blades made of composites, along with much of the internal structure.
What is graphene?
Graphene is a two-dimensional matrix of carbon atoms, arranged in a honeycomb lattice. A single square-meter sheet of graphene would weigh just 0.0077 grams but could support up to four kilograms. That means it is thin and lightweight but also incredibly strong. It also has a large surface area, great heat and electricity conductivity and a variety of additional incredible traits. This is probably why scientists and researchers call it “a miracle material†and predict it will revolutionize just about every industry known to man.
Graphene and composite materials
As was stated before, graphene has a myriad of unprecedented attributes, any number of which could potentially be used to make extraordinary composites. The presence of graphene can enhance the conductivity and strength of bulk materials and help create composites with superior qualities. Graphene can also be added to metals, polymers and ceramics to create composites that are conductive and resistant to heat and pressure.
Graphene composites have many potential applications, with much research going on to create unique and innovative materials. The applications seem endless, as one graphene-polymer proves to be light, flexible and an excellent electrical conductor, while another dioxide-graphene composite was found to be of interesting photocatalytic efficiencies, with many other possible coupling of materials to someday make all kinds of composites. The potential of graphene composites includes medical implants, engineering materials for aerospace and renewables and much more.
Further reading
- Graphene Supercapacitors
- Introduction to graphene
- Graphene company database
- How to invest in the graphene revolution
- The Graphene Handbook, our very own guide to the graphene market
Premier Graphene and HGI secure two new Mexican military contracts
Premier Graphene has announced that its Mexican affiliate, HGI Industrial Technologies S.A.P.I., has secured two new contracts to supply the Mexican military. The agreements cover the provision of military tactical belts and nylon-cotton ripstop fabric, both considered mission-critical materials within active defense supply programs. HGI and Premier have already initiated coordination with suppliers, manufacturers, and logistics partners to support timely execution of the contracts.
The company indicated that these awards reflect growing institutional confidence in HGI’s capabilities, following prior defense-related supply engagements. The contracts are expected to contribute to recurring revenue streams and demonstrate the company’s ability to operate across multiple supply categories within the defense sector.
Laser-induced graphene on Kevlar enables multifunctional structural composites
Researchers from IMDEA Materials Institute, Polytechnic University of Madrid, University Rey Juan Carlos, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA) and Universidad Francisco de Vitoria have developed a multifunctional fiber-reinforced polymer composite that integrates strain sensing, electromagnetic shielding and thermal management within a structural laminate.
The team fabricated laser-induced graphene (LIG) directly on Kevlar fabric via laser photothermal conversion, then incorporated this LIG@Kevlar layer into basalt fiber/biobased epoxy laminates using vacuum infusion, a process compatible with industrial-scale manufacturing. This in-situ conversion strategy avoids separate LIG films or transfer steps, helping to maintain interlaminar integrity and eliminating foreign interfaces that could otherwise weaken the composite.
Plaid Technologies shares updates on graphene-enhanced concrete testing
Plaid Technologies has announced significant progress in the development of its graphene-infused concrete composite (Plaid-GCC) technology, demonstrating performance improvements in laboratory testing.
"We're witnessing a perfect storm in the construction materials market," said Guy Bourgeois, Chief Executive Officer of Plaid Technologies. "Infrastructure spending is at historic highs, labor shortages are driving time-to-completion pressures, and increasingly stringent building requirements coupled with new carbon regulations are making traditional cement increasingly expensive. Our laboratory results indicate that graphene-enhanced concrete will be transformational - potentially essential for contractors who need to build faster, cleaner, stronger."
Volt Carbon advances graphene and expandable graphite activities, expands production capabilities
Volt Carbon Technologies has provided an update on its operations, highlighting ongoing commercialization efforts and expanded activities in graphene-related materials.
Over the past three years, Volt has generated modest revenues through mineral processing services and advanced materials development programs, as reported in its Management’s Discussion and Analysis filings. While these revenues have not been material, they have helped offset a portion of operating costs as the company continues to prioritize process development and commercial readiness.
Premier Graphene and its partners secure initial contract with Mexico's defense sector
Premier Graphene, a developer of advanced graphene-based defense and protective-wear fortification technologies, along with its Mexican affiliate, HGI, recently secured their first contract with the Dirección General de Fábrica de Vestuario y Equipo (FAVE), a division of Mexico’s Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (DEFENSA). This achievement marks a strategic entry into Mexico’s defense manufacturing ecosystem and establishes both companies as emerging participants within its procurement framework. This also opens the door to working with other Latin American Countries.
As a Mexican company, HGI facilitated this contract with its established network within Mexico’s manufacturing infrastructure, combined with the coordination and support of Lic. Emmanuel Hernández Rico. The award follows governmental agency’s direct request for proposal prompted by our uniquely fabricated, specialized belt assemblies with integrated magazine (ammunition) carriers, designed to meet demanding operational requirements, including protecting military personnel.
Adisyn secures stealth drone technology license
Adisyn has announced that 2D Generation's subsidiary, 2D Radar Absorbers, has entered into a binding License and Research Agreement with Ramot, the technology transfer company of Tel Aviv University (“TAU”). The agreement grants Adisyn exclusive, worldwide rights to commercialize graphene-based radar signature reduction technology, marking a transition from research to a structured commercial development phase.
This agreement comes at a time of increasing global focus on radar signature management, driven by the rapid expansion of UAV deployment, Loitering Munitions, and the growing sophistication of detection systems across defence and aerospace sectors.
Adisyn reports graphene-based radar signature reduction for drones
Adisyn recently completed an initial proof-of-concept program demonstrating that graphene-enhanced composite materials can reduce radar reflection characteristics, with laboratory testing confirming up to 20dB reduction in radar reflection.
The program was conducted in collaboration with Ramot, the technology transfer company of Tel Aviv University. Composite samples were tested under controlled laboratory conditions and demonstrated up to 20dB reduction in radar reflection coefficient relative to baseline materials. The research team is now working on further optimization, targeting up to a 30dB reduction. According to Adisyn, a reduction of that magnitude would shrink the actual physical radar cross-section – the size of a target as detected by radar – by a factor of 1,000.
Graphene-liquid metal sensors unlock 3D force detection for robots
A University of Cambridge research team has developed a triaxial force microsensor array using graphene-liquid metal composites, enabling robots to sense force magnitude, direction, slip, and surface roughness at scales rivaling human fingertips. This achievement addresses key limitations in tactile sensing for neuroprosthetics, human-machine interfaces, and dexterous robotics by decoupling normal and tangential forces through multiscale pyramid microstructures.
The device employs anisotropic porous conductive elastomers (APEs) with a hybrid filler of spiky nickel particles, few-layer graphene nanosheets, and eutectic gallium-indium (EGaIn) liquid metal microdroplets. These form a solid-liquid conductive network where LM droplets act as deformable hubs bridged by graphene sheets, cured under magnetic fields to align fillers directionally within an interconnected microporous structure. Pyramid-shaped units, as small as 200 μm across, mimic human epidermal microstructures to concentrate stress at tips, boosting sensitivity while spanning wide force ranges.
Novel graphene-enhanced spray coating enables efficient structural health monitoring in demanding environments
Researchers from China's Northeastern University, Shenyang Jusheng New Material Technology, Key Laboratory of Medical Image Computing, Shenyang Aerospace University and Australia's University of New South Wales have developed a polyurea-based nanocomposite spray sensing coating reinforced with covalently functionalized graphene nanoplatelets, offering a scalable solution for structural health monitoring in demanding environments.
Preparation and Main Properties of Graphene NanoPlatelet-functionalized Polyurea Coatings.
Structural health monitoring (SHM) in harsh and complex conditions remains challenging, as conventional sensors often lack conformability, mechanical durability, and long-term stability. In their recent study, the team outlines a new approach - a spray-applied polyurea nanocomposite sensing coating that integrates functionalized graphene nanoplatelets to combine robust mechanical performance with reliable, real-time damage and strain monitoring for infrastructure and automotive structures.
Graphene Composites announces milestone verification for its GC Patrol Shield ballistic shield
Graphene Composites USA (GC USA) has announced that its ultralight GC Patrol Shield® has become "the first and only rifle-rated ballistic shield to pass and receive third-party verification for rifle and shotgun rounds under the ASTM E3347-25 standard (Standard Specification for Ballistic-Resistant Shields Used by Law Enforcement Officers)".
Third-Party verified edge-shot protection and real-world durability at half the weight of conventional shields could have great potential for Law Enforcement safety.
