Graphite MaterialsGraphite Materials

History of GraphiteHistory of Graphite

- Naturally discovered around 1565 in Cumberland, - Naturally discovered around 1565 in Cumberland, BritainBritain

- Also can be found naturally in Siberia, Germany & - Also can be found naturally in Siberia, Germany & the United Statesthe United States

- Was named ‘graphite’ from the Greek word for - Was named ‘graphite’ from the Greek word for writingwriting

- Synthetically created by - Synthetically created by Edward G. AchesonEdward G. Acheson

E.G. AchesonE.G. Acheson

Graphite MaterialsGraphite Materials

Graphite:Graphite: Is a form of carbon that occurs as a natural Is a form of carbon that occurs as a natural mineral and is manufactured synthetically.mineral and is manufactured synthetically.

- Greasy material- Greasy material

- Strong conductor of electricity- Strong conductor of electricity

- High strength & chemical stability at elevated - High strength & chemical stability at elevated temperaturestemperatures

- Low coefficient of thermal expansion and high - Low coefficient of thermal expansion and high resistance to thermal shockresistance to thermal shock

PropertiesProperties

Composition Structure:Composition Structure: Layers of hexagonally arranged Layers of hexagonally arranged carbon atoms. Forming a HCP carbon atoms. Forming a HCP crystalline structure.crystalline structure.

Appearance:Appearance: Black to gray with a metallic earthly luster.Black to gray with a metallic earthly luster.

- Each carbon atom is bonded to - Each carbon atom is bonded to three other carbon atoms strongly three other carbon atoms strongly but each layer is held together but each layer is held together with a weak bond due to van der with a weak bond due to van der WaalsWaals

ApplicationsApplications

- When mixed with clay & other materials it forms the “lead” in lead pencils

- Graphite is used in nuclear reactors to act as a - Graphite is used in nuclear reactors to act as a moderator to slow down neutronsmoderator to slow down neutrons

- Used in manufacturing as a lubricant to smooth - Used in manufacturing as a lubricant to smooth surfaces so that castings can be removed from molds surfaces so that castings can be removed from molds easilyeasily

- Is also used as to produce numerous objects such as - Is also used as to produce numerous objects such as dry lubricants, and paintsdry lubricants, and paints