Lab Tested

Our Graphene-Wear™ fabrics have undergone scientific moisture management testing at independent test houses such as Shirley® Technologies & University of Gloucestershire.

Enhanced Wicking: 100% Improvement

Graphene-Wear™ printed fabrics showed in excess of a 100% enhancement in wicking rate. 

By printing Graphene-Wear™ formulas onto fabric, we significantly increase the surface area available which is achieved due to the orientation and arrangement of graphene platelets. This in turn has an effect on the capillary action of the fibres and yarns and their ability to move moisture.

Test performed: AATCC 197

Increased Drying: >50% Improvement

Graphene-Wear™ print introduces surface properties to a base fabric that promotes moisture to move to the outer surface and to spread laterally at a greater rate. 

This moisture can then be lost to evaporation in a more efficient manner. This will notably decrease the time taken for a wearer's sweat to be held by the fabric, promoting evaporative cooling. Graphene-Wear™ treated sportswear fabrics dried at more than double the speed of the control fabrics during tests.

Tests performed: AATCC 199-2013 & AATCC 201-2013

Permeability & Breathability: No Loss of Performance

Adding Graphene-Wear™ print to a base fabric has been found to make "no significant difference" to the air or moisture vapour permeability of a base fabric. 

Tests performed: BS EN ISO 9237:1995, BS 7209:1990 (1997), BS EN ISO11092:2014

Improved Thermal Transmittance

Thermal Transmittance: The rate of transfer of heat through matter.

Our Graphene-Wear™ printed fabrics have undergone industry standard testing at independent test houses such as Shirley® Technologies.

The results show that fabric printed with the Graphene-Wear™ technology displayed an 18% improvement in thermal transmittance.

Test method BS 4745:2005

Lifetime

Graphene-Wear™ compounds enable product designers and engineers to benefit from  factoring the strength and durability that our elastomers provide, offering longer lifetimes and reduced maintenance. Our compounds have shown to be 20% less likely to tear, be twice as strong and to last 30% longer than the current performance of existing products on the market.

What can graphene do to achieve the 3 R's?

Reduce

Buy less, buy better:

Graphene-Wear™ compounds display excellent durability and resilience. Early comparisons have shown that products enhanced with Graphene-Wear™ can last up to 30% longer. Amongst others, the European Union and UK government have acknowledged the negative environmental effects some aspects of the fashion industry is having on the environment. The EU has sought for manufacturers to create products with longer lifetimes which is why Graphene-Wear™ offers a great option to buy better. 

Carbon Footprint:

The European Environment Agency states that "In 2020, producing textile products consumed in the EU generated greenhouse gas emissions of 121 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) in total, or 270 kg CO2e per person"

Creating components and products that have longer lasting lifetimes will reduce the carbon emissions in equal measure to the extra life they possess. Graphene-Wear™ has the potential to be a big part of the solution.

Source: https://www.eea.europa.eu/

Fibre Shed:

Microfibre release is causing damage to our world's ecosystems. Every time a garment is worn and washed, tiny pieces of textile fibres 'shed' and enter the land and water ecosystems. Our goal is to reduce this through the mechanical improvements that graphene can provide to host materials.

Reuse

By creating clothes, footwear and equipment that last longer and are of better quality, then they are more likely to be sold on or re-used for the same or other purposes. Having such products creates opportunities for business models to be utilised that cannot typically be employed such as subscriptions. This is a situation we will be working towards.

Recycle

For something to be recycled, it needs to be worth it, and easy enough to do it.

When recycled, most polymers such as polyester (PET) have an expected degradation in performance, so to make it worth it, virgin material has to be added. 

Our aim is to have a range of products that our customers can utilise that, when added to their recycled raw materials, allows them to meet the higher performance of virgin material whilst reducing or eradicating the required quantity of that virgin material used in the process.

Graphene has demonstrated antibacterial properties. This can be beneficial in healthcare settings, for instance, in creating antibacterial medical uniforms or bandages. It also has applications in everyday wear, as it can help reduce odors in clothing.