Australia's Aquatic Leisure Technologies recently launched the world's first graphene reinforced glass fiber reinforced composite (GFRP) swimming pool. The company stated that the graphene nanotechnology swimming pool obtained by combining graphene modified resin with traditional GFRP manufacturing is lighter, stronger, and more durable than traditional GFRP pools.
In 2018, ALT approached First Graphene (FG), which is a supplier of high-performance graphene products. After more than 40 years of manufacturing GFRP swimming pools, ALT has been looking for better moisture absorption solutions. Although the inside of the GFRP pool is protected by a double layer of gel coat, the outside is easily affected by moisture from the surrounding soil. Neil Armstrong, Commercial Manager of First Graphene Composites, said: GFRP systems are easy to absorb water because they contain reactive groups that can react with the absorbed water through hydrolysis, causing water to enter the matrix, and permeation blisters may occur. Manufacturers use various strategies to reduce water penetration outside GFRP pools, such as adding a vinyl ester barrier to the laminate structure. However, ALT wanted a stronger option and increased bending strength to help its pool maintain its shape and withstand the pressure from the backfill and the hydrostatic pressure or hydrodynamic load.
Although First Graphene helped create graphene-filled GFRP laminates for the marine industry and water storage systems, swimming pools are still a new field. In order to determine the ideal formulation of PureGRAPH® graphene nanosheet powder for swimming pools, the company conducted flexural strength and water resistance tests. Armstrong said: We tried different grades and concentrations to determine the most suitable mixture for adding resin. Within a few months, the company proved that mixing a small amount of PureGRAPH with polyester styrene resin and chopped glass fiber reinforcements produced GFRP that was lighter in weight, 30% stronger, and less susceptible to water diffusion. The addition of graphene reduces the water diffusion coefficient by 10 times.
The company's first task is to find equipment that can effectively incorporate PureGRAPH powder into the resin. ALT has invented a patent-pending process to reduce the size of graphene agglomeration and uniformly disperse graphene throughout the resin matrix. Due to the impact of COVID-19, production and shipping delays delayed its commercialization by nearly a year, as the company had to wait for the arrival of professional mixing equipment. After incorporating the equipment into its production line and establishing safe handling procedures for graphene powder materials, ALT launched the first graphene injection cell in May of this year. Armstrong said that the need for additional equipment and unwillingness to deal with powdered materials may create obstacles for some companies. Therefore, First Graphene is developing a liquid PureGRAPH product and has released a series of water-based slurries for other applications. Ultimately, the company hopes that resin manufacturers will integrate PureGRAPH into the solution.
At the same time, Lynley Papineau, the managing director of ALT, was satisfied with the new GFRP material and pointed out that by applying PureGRAPH to the swimming pool series products, it marked a new era for pre-formed glass fiber composite swimming pools, which can have higher The strength, durability, water resistance and chemical resistance.
It is reported that ALT plans to promote its graphene nanotechnology pools in Australia, New Zealand and the United States. In the first few years, ALT and First Graphene will sign an exclusive supply contract. Over time, First Graphene expects that graphene GFRP technology will be applied to the leisure pool industry as well as the marine, water engineering and sports equipment markets.
In addition, other current innovative structures include graphene-enhanced GFRP surfboards and the first graphene-enhanced ship (built by Ascent Shipwrights in Perth, Australia) that is undergoing sea trials.