What are the uses of graphite,do you know?

Overview of graphite

Graphite is an important non-metallic mineral resource and an allotrope of carbon.

The different crystal forms of graphite determine that it contains various industrial values and uses. In industry, graphite ore is divided into crystalline (flaky) graphite ore and cryptocrystalline (earth-like) graphite ore according to the different forms of graphite crystals. From a mineralogical point of view, generally speaking, graphite is crystalline graphite, and cryptocrystalline graphite also belongs to crystalline graphite. Cryptocrystalline graphite is crystalline graphite that can only be seen under an electron microscope. Therefore, different classification methods have different classification results. This article mainly adopts the industrial classification method, which is closer to the application and classification of graphite in industry.

Crystalline graphite ore can be divided into scaly and dense. The scaly graphite ore crystallizes better, the crystal size is greater than 1 μm, generally 0.05 to 1.5 mm, and the maximum can reach 5 to 10 mm, most of which are aggregates. High-quality large flake graphite is the most important raw material for the production of graphene and expanded graphite. It plays an extremely important role in the future development of the graphite industry (or the development of the products produced). Large-scale graphite in my country is distributed in Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, Shandong, Hubei and other places. Dense crystalline graphite is also called block graphite, and its grade is very high, usually with a carbon content of 60% to 65%, and sometimes 80% to 98%, but its plasticity and lubricity are not as good as flake graphite. Cryptocrystalline graphite is also called amorphous graphite. This type of graphite is characterized by its earthy surface, no luster, and its lubricity is slightly worse than that of flake graphite. Its grade is relatively high, generally between 60% and 80%, and some even as high as 90%. Ash content is 15% to 22%; volatile matter content is 1% to 2%; moisture content is 2% to 7%. With the continuous progress of science and technology, graphite purification technology will be improved, and cryptocrystalline graphite will be more and more widely used.

Graphite applications

Graphite has a wide range of uses and has a great relationship with the internal structure of graphite. Graphite is a kind of crystalline carbon with a hexagonal layered structure. The force between the layers is small and the distance is large, which is prone to slipping. Therefore, graphite has low hardness, lubricity and plasticity. In addition, each C atom in the graphite structure only forms 3 covalent bonds with other C atoms, and each original C atom still retains 1 free electron to transfer charges. Therefore, graphite has conductivity. The thermal conductivity depends on the strength of the free electron movement.

The main characteristics, characteristics and characteristics of graphite. High temperature resistance The strength of graphite increases with the increase of temperature. At 2000°C, the strength of graphite doubles. Electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity The electrical conductivity of graphite is one hundred times that of ordinary non-metallic minerals. The thermal conductivity exceeds the thermal conductivity of metallic materials (such as steel, iron, and lead). Thermal conductivity decreases with increasing temperature, and graphite becomes an insulator even at extremely high temperatures. The lubricity depends on the size of the graphite flakes. The larger the flake, the smaller the friction coefficient and the better the lubrication performance. Chemical stability It has good chemical stability at room temperature, and it can resist acid and corrosive to alkali and organic solvents. Good plasticity and toughness, can be rolled into very thin sheets. Thermal shock resistance When used at room temperature, it can withstand drastic temperature changes without causing damage or sudden temperature changes.

According to the different sizes of scales, graphite flakes can be divided into four categories: giant flake graphite, large flake graphite, medium flake graphite and small flake graphite. The crystallinity of graphite and the size of oxide scale are different, and the physical and chemical properties and application fields are also different. In the past, the larger the ratio, the higher the value of graphite. As the demand for lithium-ion battery anode materials for small flake graphite increases, the value of the small flakes will increase.

According to genetic types, China's graphite deposits can be divided into sedimentary metamorphic fluids and magmatic hydrothermal fluids. The main deposit types are regional metamorphism and contact metamorphism. In addition, there are some graphite deposits, such as those distributed in structural fault zones and secondary accumulation layers, which are usually small in scale and have few industrial values and sources.

In traditional fields, graphite is mainly used in machinery industry, chemical industry, metallurgical industry and light industry. It can be used as lubricants, friction materials, heat conduction materials, various refractory molds, anticorrosive appliances, inks, pencils, etc. For example, natural graphite is mainly used for ironmaking and steelmaking (ie, refractory materials). Synthetic graphite is mainly used as an electrode for electric furnace steelmaking, and adding synthetic graphite powder to molten steel can increase the carbon content of steel.

As an important strategic resource, graphite was used as early as the 16th century. With the development of science and technology, the application fields continue to expand. The discovery of graphene in 2010 and the extensive exploration and research on graphene and graphite structures in recent years. Its excellent performance has shown broad application prospects in many fields such as optics, energy, aerospace, environment, new materials and so on. Graphite has also attracted more and more attention. The application of graphite will cross the application in traditional fields and turn to applications in strategic emerging fields such as aerospace, green environmental protection, nuclear industry, new materials and new energy.

The price of graphite

The price of graphite varies randomly with production costs, transportation costs, international conditions, exchange rates, and market supply and demand. Tanki New Materials Co.,Ltd aims to help all industries and chemical wholesalers find high-quality, low-cost nanomaterials and chemicals by providing a full set of customized services. If you are looking for graphite, please feel free to send an inquiry about the latest price of graphite.

Supplier of graphite

As a global spherical graphite supplier, Tanki New Materials Co.,Ltd. has extensive experience in the performance, application and cost-effective manufacturing of advanced engineering materials. The company has successfully developed a series of powder materials (including oxides, carbides, nitrides, single metals, etc.), high-purity targets, functional ceramics and structural devices, and provides OEM services.