Natural graphite has many uses, mainly including the following aspects:
Electrical industry: In the electrical industry, graphite is widely used as electrodes, brushes, carbon rods, carbon tubes, positive electrodes of mercury rectifiers, graphite gaskets, etc. Graphite electrodes are indispensable materials, especially when smelting various alloy steels and ferroalloys. They generate arcs by introducing them into the melting zone of the electric furnace, converting electrical energy into heat energy, thereby achieving the purpose of smelting or reaction.
Mechanical industry: Graphite is often used as a lubricant in the mechanical industry, especially under high speed, high temperature and high pressure conditions, lubricating oil is often not competent, and graphite wear-resistant materials can work under these extreme conditions without lubricating oil. In addition, graphite materials are also used to manufacture piston rings, seals and bearings.
Chemical equipment: Specially processed graphite has good chemical stability, thermal conductivity and low permeability, so it is widely used in the manufacture of heat exchangers, reaction tanks, condensers, combustion towers, absorption towers, coolers, heaters, filters, pumps and other equipment.
Other applications: Natural graphite is also used to produce refractory materials, flexible graphite products, lithium-ion battery negative electrode materials, etc. In the carbon industry, artificial graphite products have the largest production volume, usually made of easily graphitized petroleum coke or asphalt coke as raw materials, and are made through a series of processes.
Physical and chemical properties of graphite: Graphite is an allotrope of carbon with high density, high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity. Its chemical properties are stable and it is not easy to react with acids, alkalis and other agents. Large flake graphite plays a key role in high-end lubrication, sealing and large integrated circuits.
The impact of technological progress on graphite applications: With the development of science and technology, the application of graphite in the field of science and technology continues to expand. For example, high-purity graphite is used as a neutron moderator in atomic reactors, and also plays an important role in semiconductor chip manufacturing. In addition, graphite is also indispensable in the manufacture of electric vehicle batteries and spacecraft.