General Introduction to artificial/synthetic Graphite

Writer： admin Time：2023-09-14 10:21:38 Browse：348℃

Graphite, archaically referred to as plumbago, is a crystalline form of the element carbon with its atoms arranged in a hexagonal structure. It occurs naturally in this form and is the most stable form of carbon under standard conditions. Under high pressures and temperatures it converts to diamond. Graphite is used in pencils and lubricants. It is a good conductor of heat and electricity. Its high conductivity makes it useful in electronic products such as electrodes, batteries, and solar panels
 
Synthetic graphite is a material consisting of graphitic carbon which has been obtained by graphitizing of non-graphitic carbon, by CVD from hydrocarbons at temperatures above 2500 K, by decomposition of thermally unstable carbides or by crystallizing from metal melts supersaturated with carbon.
 
Synthetic graphite is a unique material that is often used in metal manufacturing and in energy devices like batteries and solar panels.
 
It’s highly purified in terms of carbon content and is known for its ability to withstand high temperatures and corrosion. Those characteristics make it a great option for highly specialized industries that need predictable results from their carbon inputs.
 
Understanding the difference between synthetic and natural graphite is important for investors, as industries typically need a specific type of graphite for their applications.
 
Types and uses of synthetic graphite
 
Synthetic graphite typically comes in two forms: electrodes and graphite blocks. The form of graphite directly determines which industries it will be used in.
 
Electrodes
Electrodes are primarily created using petroleum coke as a precursor and are almost exclusively used in electric-arc furnaces — these furnaces are used for melting steel and iron, and producing ferroalloys.
 
Graphite blocks
Graphite blocks — or isotropic graphite — are primarily used for energy storage in the solar industry. These blocks are made using the same petroleum coke process as electrodes, but differ slightly in the structure of the coke used.
 
Secondary synthetic graphite
Producing synthetic graphite also creates a by-product known as secondary synthetic graphite — typically yielded as a powder. It’s considered a low-cost material and some forms of it can compete with natural graphite in applications like brake linings and lubricants.