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Graphite is a natural mineral derivative of carbon. It is a native element, often the result of sedimentary carbon compounds, but also occurring in certain rocks containing organic carbon, in magma or as the result of the reduction of sedimentary carbon through the reduction of carbonates.
Graphite has a non-compact layered structure made up of hexagonally-shaped structures. These layers are known as graphene have an inter-layer distance of approximately 0.336 nm.
In each layer, the carbon atoms are strongly bonded together by molecular links whereas the layers are not strongly bonded together, which explains the material’s relative lack of hardness.
Physical properties of graphite
Graphite is the stable form of carbon at ordinary temperatures and pressures. This material has a black, shiny, submetallic appearance. Its hardness is low, between 1 and 2 on the Mohs scale. Due to its layered structures, all of its physical properties are anistropic. Indeed, its electrical conductivity varies greatly if measured between the layers or perpendicularly.
Applications of graphite
Graphite has many industrial applications in various natural or synthetic forms :
- Mechanical Engineering: friction parts, seals, lubricants
- Electrical manufacturing: brush motors
- Reducers, particularly in the steel industry (blast coke furnaces)
- Electrodes for the steel industry (electrical steel)
- Moderators in nuclear reactors
- Adsorbents in activated charcoal filter
Graphite machining
Final Advanced Materials has manufacturing processes and an ISO 9001 certified quality system allowing us to manufacture the most complex parts in complete compliance with your designs and requirements.
- Flat or round grinding, turnery on lathes
- Milling
- Drilling
- Ultrasonic processing
- Plane and cylindrical polishing
- Tapping, threading, grinding
- Graphite-metal and graphite-ceramic compounds, brazing, metallizing
Our range of graphite products
Machinable graphite
Machinable graphite is known for its excellent isostatic qualities and its perfect homogeneity. It does not absorb moisture, deform, burst or shrink due to thermal stress.
Coatings and surface treatments
In order to modify the specific characteristics of graphite, different coatings and treatments can be applied. We propose 5 types of coating and graphite impregnations for fine grain isostatic graphite...
Graphite powder
Using scrap from our production of machinable graphite, we can provide sifted powder...
Soft carbon and graphite felts for thermal insulation
Carbon/graphite felts with thicknesses of 6 and 11 mm and a width of 1200 mm are available. Specific widths can be provided and special shapes can be cut to your specifications.
Thread for flexible graphite felt
It is also possible to sew or fasten flexible GFA felts together using thread spun using carbon.
Rigid graphite felt
Rigid graphite felt is available with a thickness of 40 mm. This product is a shape-retentive insulating material made of graphite fibres and a carbon binder.
Bonding sheet
Bonding sheets use high quality expanded graphite without any adhesive or bonding elements. They can be used at high temperatures up to 3000°C in an inert atmosphere or a vacuum.
Carbon-graphite
These materials have a fine or very fine particle size and can have a very high degree of anisotropy due the axial process. They are made of amorphous carbon and graphite.
Glassy carbon
Glassy carbon is high-temperature resistant in inert gas or vacuum environments up to 3000°C. Unlike all other ceramic and metallic high-temperature materials, glassy carbon increases in strength with a rise in temperature up to 2400°C.
Carbon-graphite
Glassy carbon
Graphite Adhesive
Graphite Coatings - Aerosol and suspension
Graphite Felts 2,000 °C
Graphite gasket sheet
Graphite powder HT
Machinable graphite
FAQs that can help you in this category
Graphite can withstand different temperatures depending on the atmosphere in which it is used. Its working environment directly affects its thermal performances.
In a vacuum or an inert atmosphere, graphite can withstand extremely high temperatures, even above 2,000°C. If oxygen is not present, the material retains excellent thermal and structural stability.
In air or an oxidising atmosphere, however, the maximum working temperature is lower. At around 400 to 500°C and above; graphite starts to oxidise gradually on contact with oxygen, leading to a degradation of its properties and loss of material.
Choosing the right graphite grade and considering the atmospheric conditions in which the graphite will be used is absolutely necessary to obtain the performance and lifetime needed for a given application.
The Final Advanced Materials team is at your disposal to help you choose the most suitable graphite solution based on your thermal and environmental constraints.
Due to its layered crystalline structure, graphite has excellent electrical and thermal conductivity properties.
This organisation facilitates the movement of electrons and the propagation of heat within the material.
However, graphite also has anisotropic properties: its conductivity varies depending on the direction of the crystalline layers. Conductivity is thus higher in the direction parallel to the layers than in the direction perpendicular to them.
Parameters such as the graphite's purity and density also influence its electrical and thermal characteristics. All these characteristics therefore determine the level of conductivity of the material.
Despite these variations graphite remains an excellent thermal and electrical conductor, which is particularly suited to many demanding industrial environments.
The Final Advanced Materials team is at your disposal to help you choose the most suitable graphite for your technical requirements.
To select the best graphite grade for your application, several parameters must be taken into account:
• What is the working temperature?
• What are the applied mechanical stresses?
• What level of thermal or electrical conductivity is needed?
• What are the wear and friction conditions?
• What is the operational chemical environment?
Analysing these various parameters will help you determine which graphite grade will be most effective and best suited to your technical constraints .
The Final Advanced Materials team is at your disposal to assist you with this analysis, and help you assess graphite solution is best suited for your application.
Graphite is an excellent solution for aggressive chemical environments.
Due to its great chemical stability, it resists most acids and bases, including at high concentrations.
Unlike metals, graphite does not rust and does not dissolve in most corrosive environments, making it a material which is particularly suitable for demanding applications.
However, there are certain limitations which be taken into account. In the presence of oxygen and high temperature, graphite is subject to oxidisation which can impair its properties. In addition, in fluorinated environments, in particular in the presence of hydrofluoric acid, a direct chemical reaction with carbon can occur.
The choice of graphite and working conditions therefore depends on the application's chemical and thermal environment.
The Final Advanced Materials team is at your disposal to help you choose the best graphite for your technical requirements.
A graphite-loaded cement is a particularly suitable solution for repairing graphite parts.
Its chemical compatibility with the material, along with its thermal expansion and electrical conductivity, which are similar to those of graphite, make it a preferred solution for this type of application.
Ceramic-loaded cements are particularly recommended for localised repairs which do not require high a mechanical strength.
The Final Advanced Materials team is at your disposal to help you choose the best solution for your technical constraints.