When you think of graphite, you may think about the lead inside of pencils. However, graphite has a lot of other uses today, and it’s very important to many industries because it is an excellent conductor. Specialty carbon (graphite) from graphite materials suppliers offers many benefits and here are some of the reasons for its popularity.
What is Graphite?
Graphite is carbon. In fact, it’s a very stable form of carbon and found in igneous and metamorphic rock formations. However, it can also be synthetically produced by heating silicon carbide. This creates a pure product that has low density yet its melting point is very high. It conducts electricity very well, and it remains stable at high temperatures due to its high melting point.
Specialty graphite from graphite materials suppliers is produced with fine grains, and because it’s synthetic, it’s easy to form it into a number of shapes and sizes. It is often made in rods, blocks, and rounds.
Benefits of Specialty Carbon
If you need materials that are heat-resistant, specialty carbon is one of the best materials that you can use. In fact, it can be used in environments as hot as three thousand degrees Celsius (5432 degrees Fahrenheit). It resists the effects of shock even when exposed to high temperatures. Even though it is very durable and strong, it’s also lightweight.
If you have an environment with chemicals, corrosion can be a real problem, and specialty carbon is a great choice. It’s also a natural lubricant, so grease is often not required in many applications.
Applications
In the metals industry, specialty carbon from graphite materials suppliers is used as electrodes in melting furnaces. It’s the most durable and cost-effective material for large electrodes. Specialty carbon is also used in the semiconductor industry. Also, new battery types use this kind of specialized carbon.