Berkwood Reports Excellent Results from Purification (99.95%) and Expandable Graphite Tests
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2200 – 1250 Rene Levesque Blvd. Montreal QC H3B 4W8
Phone: (438) 469-0705
2410 – 610 Granville Street Vancouver BC V6C 3T3
Phone: (604) 343-7740
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.berkwoodresources.com
Berkwood Reports Excellent Results from Purification (99.95%) and
Expandable Graphite Tests
Figure 1: Close up view of Berkwood’s Expanded Graphite (“graphite worms”)
Vancouver, August 27 th 2019 -- Berkwood Resources Ltd. (TSX -V: BKR ; Frankfurt: BR2N - WKN:
A2DNV4) (“Berkwood” or the “company”) is pleased to announce excellent results from recent ly
completed testwork conducted by ProGraphite GmbH (“ProGraphite”) in Germany. Berkwood has
commissioned ProGraphite to test the company’s high-grade flake graphite concentrate from the
Lac Guéret South deposit in Northern Quebec, Canada for the production of purified and
expandable graphite.
The company ProGraphite GmbH offers professional expertise and a wide range of laboratory
services in natural graphite. ProGraphite’s laboratory expertise is well recognized in the industry for
the determination of flake graphite qualities specific to various end uses. For more information
about ProGraphite, please visit: www.pro-graphite.com
The main findings of ProGraphite are:
TSX-V: BKR
FSE: BR2N
WKN: A2DNV4
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• The size distribution of the flake graphite in the concentrate shows a coarse flake size,
above market standard (based o n the two screened samples “Berkwood 20x50” and
“Berkwood 50x100”).
• Graphitic carbon grade of the tested graphite samples is above 98% Cgr.
• The tested material is very suitable for the pr oduction of expandable graphite. Expansion
rates of 380 ml/g (H 2O2 method) and 390 ml/g (KM nO4 method) have been achieved
easily.
• The carbon content obtained after a standard alkaline purification process was 99.95%.
Tom Yingling, President and CEO states: “We are very pleased with the se excellent testwork results
from ProGraphite. This report i s one of the final pieces of the puzzle that was crucial for Berkwood.
The Company knew we have high-grade graphite and large flakes. From the recent ly announced NI
43-101 resource estimation report, we knew that Berkwood has a substantial amount of it and it is
right on surface. One of the last pieces of the puzzle we needed to know was if the graphite is able to
be expanded, and, can it be done so very easily using standard methods . Today I am pleased to
announce that Berk wood’s graphite is expandable . Another significant result is the fact that our
graphite concentrate can be easily purified to 99.95%. For Berkwood, this opens up the opportunity
to sell our graphite flakes into a wide range of standard and value-added graphite markets.”
Based on these encouraging results, ProGraphite draws the following conclusion and recommends
further tests: “The results of the production of expandable graphite using both, KMn O4 or H2O2 as
oxidation reagent, showed excellent results with expansion rates well above 350 ml/g. The testwork
was done using standard formulations. It is probable, that changes of process parameters (like
amount of acids, change of retention time etc.) and perhaps the usage of addition al chemicals will
lead to even higher expansion rates. ProGraphite recommends to perform further tests for
verification. Alkaline purification of the graphite showed excellent results as well. The carbon
content obtained after a standard alkaline purification process was 99.95%, which is a very good
result.”
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What is Expandable Graphite?
Due to the layered structure of highly crystalline natural flake graphite, it is possible to in sert
molecules between the carbon layers . During this process which is named intercalation, the
expanded graphite material takes on new propertie s. Intercalated graphite flakes with
outstanding expansion rates have a high amount of intercalated layers. Most c ommonly, sulphuric
or nitric acid are used as intercalation agents. Under the influence of high temperatures and within
several hours, the carbon layers separate and small, several millimetres large “graphite worms ”
show up. The result is a significant increase in the volume of the graphite of up to 375 times, a n
overall decrease in bulk density and an approximately a 10-fold increase in surface area.
Uses of Expandable Graphite
The worldwide market for e xpandable graphite is one of the fastest growing markets along
with Li -Ion batteries. Over the last couple of years the market has experienced significant
price increases . Expan dable graphite can be used in many applications including:
Flame retardant
Thermal management in consumer electronics
High end gaskets that are heat and corrosion resistant
Flow batteries and fuel cells
Electrically conductive fillers
Coatings
Automotive Industry
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Aerospace
Energy Storage
Wind Energy
Compound Semiconductors
Other products
About Berkwood Resources Ltd.: Berkwood is engaged in exploration for the commodities that
enable the modern revolution in essential technologies. These technologies are dependent upon
the ethical mining and supply of naturally occurring elements and minerals that enhance the
performance of energy storage systems and permit the development and miniaturization of new
electronics and structural components for the new suite of innovative tools. The Company is led by
a team with collectively over 200 years experience and whose members have been involved with
the discovery of several producing mines.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors
Berkwood Resources Ltd.
‘Thomas Yingling’
President, CEO & Director
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Investor Relations:
[email protected] or 1-604-343-7740 www.berkwoodresources.com
Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information:
Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management. Forward-looking statements consist
of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such
statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in
the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what
benefits the Company will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect management’s current views and are based on certain
expectations, estimates and assumptions, which may prove to be incorrect.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.