Nanocomposites for Automotive: Enhanced Graphene-based Polymer Materials and Multi-Scale Approach

The present initiative provides a summary and overview on graphene related materials (GRM) for automotive applications and investigates efficient methods to integrate graphene as polymer reinforcements within composite materials for energy-efficient and safe vehicles (EESVs). An approach that starts from the nanoscale through the graphene elaboration by experiments to meso/macro-scale by continuum mechanics modelling is discussed with respect to some limiting factors in terms of the large scale production, the interfacial behaviour, the amount of wrinkling and network structure. Finally, a strategy for modelling such a composite is elaborated in the framework of the Graphene Flagship to well understand such limitations for a full applicability of graphene. It is anticipated that this initiative will advance innovative lightweight graphene composites and their related modelling, designing, manufacturing, and joining capabilities suitable for automotive industry which requires unique levels of affordability, mechanical performance, green environmental impact and energy efficiency. This leads to complete understanding of the new graphene composites and their applicability in high-volume production scenarios.