Integrated manufacturing of REciclable multi-material COmposites for the TRANSport sector
Polish company seeks agents or distributors for low friction graphene-modified bearings seals / gaskets, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) encoder rings
A Polish company, present on the market since the 1990s, specializes in the production of rubber and rubber-metal products the majority of which are used in the automotive, machine-building and home appliance sectors. The company designs and develops the products in-house, they have their own tool-shop and R&D laboratory. The company produces their products by means of rubber injection molding among other methods. Their products are ISO certified.
Bearings are responsible for ensuring smooth movement and performance of mechanical elements which work together. The conditions bearings work in are usually adverse- high temperatures, dust, humidity, lubricants, heavy friction, vibrations. The products must be designed and manufactured to ensure failure-free operation throughout the product life.
In cooperation with three research centers, the company has recently completed a research project aimed to develop a rubber-graphene composite to be used in the manufacturing of rubber-metal products, especially bearings seals/gaskets and ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) encoder rings. The graphene-modified component improves mechanical properties of the company's products: improved tensile strength by 10%, improved tear resistance by 20%. In addition, the rubber-graphene composite creates a graphene film on the surface of rubber products. This film enables friction to be reduced, and heat from the surface of the product dissipated more efficiently. In addition, the composite forms a protective layer and a barrier for UV radiation and ozone having a destructive impact on the surface of the product. As a result of the application of the rubber-graphene composite, the durability and performance of products are enhanced in relation to products manufactured with standard components.
The Polish company is seeking venues to sell their graphene-modified products in foreign markets. So far they have been dealing with international contracts in-house. However, they would like to diversify their sales and enter into a long-term collaboration with companies which handle operations in the automotive, machine-building and home appliances sectors. The potential partner ought to have experience in the sale of rubber and rubber-metal components for the aforementioned sectors (preferably previous experience with bearings, seals, o-rings, gaskets, installation fittings, hydraulic and pneumatic installations). The collaboration may be in the form of commercial agency or distribution agreements.
Advantages & innovations Cooperation plus value: The advantages ought to be considered in relation to products manufactured with standard rubber and rubber-metal components.Owing to the application of the rubber-graphene composite in the manufacturing process, the mechanical properties of the finished product are improved. The composite helps in heat dissipation and reduces friction which improve the performance of the products. It creates a barrier for UV radiation and ozone which prolongs the products' life. The application of the composite improves tensile strength by 10% and tear resistance by 20%. The company also tested the performance and durability of their ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) encoder rings. The tests revealed that the durability of bearings with the graphene-modified ABS rings amounts to approx. 10 000 hours, which is twice the life of present solutions. Stage of development Cooperation stage dev stage: Already on the market Partner sought Cooperation area: The Polish company would like to establish cooperation with companies experienced in trade in automotive, machine-building and home appliances sectors- previous experience with products such as bearings, seals, o-rings, gaskets, installation fittings, hydraulic and pneumatic installations is preferable. The collaboration will be pursued in the form of commercial agency or distribution agreements.The partner will become an exclusive (non-exclusive) agent/ distributor responsible for marketing products on markets they become responsible for. Type and size Cooperation task: SME 11-50,SME
This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement Nº 768737
