Graphene embedded seal
Systems and processes for forming seals. The seals have graphene embedded in the seal. The graphene-embedded seals exhibit improved wear resistance over seals without graphene.
1. A method of forming a graphene-embedded seal comprising:
mixing graphene and alcohol forming a graphene alcohol solution; and
cold pressing polymer powder to form a pressed seal powder;
exposing the pressed seal powder to the graphene alcohol solution wherein a portion of the graphene alcohol solution infiltrates the pressed seal powder forming an infiltrated pressed seal powder; and
sintering the infiltrated pressed seal powder forming a polymer seal having graphene embedded within the polymer seal.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the graphene and alcohol solution comprises 0.1-10 mg/L of graphene.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the graphene has an average lateral size of 150-3000 nm.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alcohol is ethanol.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polymer powder is polytetrafluoroethylene.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein exposing the pressed seal powder comprises soaking the pressed seal powder with the graphene alcohol solution.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein exposing the pressed seal powder is for 3-5 seconds.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein, prior to sintering, the alcohol is evaporated.
9. A method of forming a graphene-embedded seal comprising:
mixing graphene and alcohol forming a graphene alcohol solution;
exposing a polymer seal to the graphene alcohol solution wherein a portion of the graphene alcohol solution infiltrates pores of the polymer seal; and
evaporating alcohol from the graphene alcohol solution.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the graphene and alcohol solution comprises 0.1-10 mg/L of graphene.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the graphene has an average lateral size of 150-3000 nm.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the alcohol is ethanol.
13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the polymer seal comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.
14. The method of claim 9 , wherein exposing the polymer seal comprises submerging the polymer seal in the graphene alcohol solution for 5-10 seconds.
15. The method of claim 9 , wherein exposing the polymer seal further comprises applying a vacuum to the polymer seal.
16. The method of claim 9 , wherein exposing the polymer seal further comprises applying a pressure greater than atmospheric to the polymer seal.
17. A method of forming a graphene-embedded seal comprising:
mixing graphene and alcohol forming a graphene alcohol solution;
exposing a polymeric material to the graphene alcohol solution; and
evaporating alcohol from the graphene alcohol solution, depositing graphene within the polymeric material.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the polymeric material is a polymer powder.
19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the polymeric material is a polymer seal.