First Graphene has completed successful prototype trials with Steel Blue for development of graphene-enhanced safety boots used across industrial sectors. In the boots, graphene was incorporated into a thermoplastic polyurethane masterbatch that offered advantages like greater wear and chemical resistance, better thermal heat transfer and reduced permeability.

"Steel Blue is committed to developing innovative solutions for our customers. We're excited by these recent developments with First Graphene and look forward to delivering these solutions to our market," said Garry Johnson, chief executive officer, Steel Blue in a press release by First Graphene.

The prototype boots have been manufactured using First Graphene's Puregraph 10 graphene powder. Unlike competing formulations, this is available in high production volumes with non-aggregated, uniform sized graphene nanoplatelets; this ensures that it disperses evenly in thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) masterbatches.

The prototype boots incorporate Puregraph-infused TPU soles and polyurethane foam innersoles and will now undergo extensive laboratory testing, followed by field trials.

"The development work with Steel Blue provides yet another example of how we're working with customers to commercialise the development of graphene, to transform the properties of materials used in many different applications, from elastomers and composites, to concrete and specialised industrial coatings," said Craig McGuckin, managing director of First Graphene.

Steel Blue is a major global manufacturer of work boots, with a reputation for innovative design to improve comfort, durability and safety. (PC)