AGM collaborates with duo on W Motors Fenyr SuperSport car

The collaboration has seen Magna enhance the tailgate of W Motors’ performance-focused supercar using AGM’s graphene-enhanced Epoxy Prepreg, supplied by AGM’s commercial partner SHD.

This development follows the launch of a range of AGM graphene enhanced prepreg materials by SHD in March 2017, with SHD subsequently developing a graphene enhanced epoxy prepreg system - MTC9810. MTC9810 is a tangible demonstration of the ease by which AGM’s 'process-ready' graphene dispersions can be adopted by the composites industry, with minimal disruption to existing manufacturing routes, and deliver cost effective performance gains.

MTC9810 is supported by a strong mechanical database that exhibits mechanical properties, particularly in fracture toughness, interlaminar shear strength and fatigue life.

Included into Magna’s design, the MTC9810 prepreg aims to mechanically enhance the W Motors Fenyr SuperSport tailgate by offering increased torsional stiffness, interlaminar shear strength and laminate fracture toughness, in addition to improved surface finish, in-service fatigue life and enhanced properties under hot and wet conditioning.

This first successful collaboration project has enabled the team to develop a strong baseline knowledge to take graphene technology even further. The long term aim of the collaboration team is to build on the delivered baseline mechanical enhancements and ultimately move towards designing in many of graphene’s multi-functional capabilities on future joint development programmes, to offer additional benefits such as extended life moisture barrier performance, conductivities and even energy storage.

Jon Mabbitt, Chief Executive Officer of Applied Graphene Materials, said: “I am delighted that AGM graphene enhanced composite materials have been showcased on automotive end products at the JEC. We are confident that AGM’s graphene can deliver significant benefits to the composites sector and we are pleased to be making progress towards application in a number of end industries through our valuable collaborations with industry partners such as SHD and Magna.”

Dr. Joseph J. Laux, Global Director of Material Science - Exteriors, Magna Exteriors, said: “Graphene represents an exciting new technology and early application successes require strong and open collaboration. Our Global Materials Science Group selected working with AGM, and adopting SHD’s prepreg material, because of their early innovation lead and undoubted commitment to support on-going materials developments and technology optimisation.”