3D printing company Renishaw has tested a lightweight watch made of graphene powder reinforced carbon fiber.
The RM 50-03 watch, made through a collaboration between The University of Manchester, Richard Mille Watches and McLaren Applied Technologies, only weighs 40 grams. The graphene reportedly gave the carbon fiber composite improved stiffness and reduced weight, by requiring the use of less overall material. The final results were achieved with only a 2% weight fraction of graphene added to the epoxy resin.
‘In this work, through the addition of only a small amount of graphene into the matrix, the mechanical properties of a unidirectionally-reinforced carbon fiber composite have been significantly enhanced,’ said Professor Robert Young, who led the research. ‘This could have future impact on precision-engineering industries where strength, stiffness and product weight are key concerns, such as in aerospace and automotive.’
The University of Manchester will reportedly open its second graphene facility, the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC), later this year.
This story is reprinted from material from Renishaw, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
