It's still new in the automotive space, and Ford's taken a unique approach to its use.
You won't even be able to tell anything's different, unless you can somehow observe molecular structures with your naked eye.
Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms,
and its benefits could spread across many industries. While it's
normally praised for its strength and conductivity, Ford plans on using it for a slightly different, but still beneficial purpose.
Ford
announced this week that it intends to use graphene under the hood of
future Ford vehicles. But its initial use won't be for its most obvious
benefits, strength and conductivity. Instead, it'll be used in very
small amounts in various covers to help reduce unwanted noise in the
cabin. It's the result of research that has been ongoing since 2014.
Ford
says it's found a way to utilize tiny amounts of the stuff in covers
for the fuel rail, engine and various pumps. The automaker discovered
that even half a percent's worth of graphene mixed with types of foam
can reduce unwanted noises. Ford estimates that its new parts can reduce
noise by 17 percent and improve heat endurance by 30 percent.
While
adding covers usually adds weight -- penalizing fuel economy in the
process -- graphene's lightweight nature means these components will
actually lower overall part weight versus the pieces they replace. The
parts were created in conjunction with two other companies, Eagle
Industries and XG Sciences.
If you're wondering how long this
magic material will take to end up in Ford vehicles, the answer is "not
long." According to the automaker, graphene-integrated components will
enter production by the end of the year, starting with the F-150 and Mustang, eventually making their way to other Ford vehicles. If your next F-150 feels just a bit quieter, it's not your imagination.