The graphene-based material has been incorporated in a carbon fibre prepreg to produce graphene-enhanced carbon fibre fishing rods for sale in both domestic and overseas markets.
River Runs has reported a significant increase in mechanical gain and while this supply agreement is relatively small, it demonstrates the benefit of using properly dispersed Haydale functionalised GNPs. The fishing rods along with other improved performance carbon fibre composites will be on display at the JEC World, Paris from 6-8 March on the Haydale stand S64 in hall 6.
Commenting on the long-term supply agreement with River Runs, Ray Gibbs, CEO of Haydale, said: “We have been working with the River Runs team for 12 months and they have developed a novel method of producing the prepreg carbon fibre with our functionalised GNPs. While the supply amounts are initially modest, the ability to capitalise on this process offers us exciting new sales opportunities specifically in the Korean market.”
Woo-Hee Kang, director of River Runs, said: “Haydale’s GNP material is excellent for producing masterbatch epoxy resin, which can be easily integrated into our prepreg system for manufacturing. By using Haydale’s specially functionalised GNP material, we have achieved significant overall gains in mechanical performance of up to 15% and we look to continue working with Haydale in the long-term.”