Graphene enhanced sporting equipment helmet

Abstract

Sporting equipment helmets are provided that include graphene. The graphene increases the durability of the sporting equipment helmets. Also provided is equipment for other contact sports that include graphene to increase durability.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sporting equipment helmet comprising:
 a polymeric composite comprising a polymer, and about 0.1% to about 5% graphene.   
     
     
         2 . The sporting equipment helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the graphene is present at about 0.1% to about 4%. 
     
     
         3 . The sporting equipment helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the graphene is present at about 0.1% to about 3%. 
     
     
         4 . The sporting equipment helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the graphene is present at about 0.1% to about 1%. 
     
     
         5 . The sporting equipment helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is a polycarbonate polymer or an amorphous nylon polymer. 
     
     
         6 . The sporting equipment helmet of  claim 5 , wherein the amorphous nylon polymer is an impact modified amorphous nylon polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The sporting equipment helmet of  claim 5 , wherein the amorphous nylon polymer is impact modified nylon 66. 
     
     
         8 . The sporting equipment helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer comprises polycarbonate. 
     
     
         9 . The sporting equipment helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the sporting equipment helmet is selected from the group consisting of a lacrosse helmet, a biking helmet, a football helmet, and a hockey helmet. 
     
     
         10 . The sporting equipment helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the sporting equipment helmet demonstrates an increased durability compared to a sporting equipment helmet that comprises the polymer but does not include graphene. 
     
     
         11 . The sporting equipment helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the sporting equipment helmet demonstrates an increased ability to withstand impacts compared to a sporting equipment helmet that comprises the polymer but does not include graphene. 
     
     
         12 . The sporting equipment helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the sporting equipment helmet demonstrates a compression stiffness that is stable within about 30%, over a temperature range of −15° C. to 52° C. 
     
     
         13 . The sporting equipment helmet of  claim 1 , further comprising fiberglass, carbon fiber, or mineral fill.