As industry develops, graphite plays an important role and new uses for graphite continue to emerge. Let’s take a closer look at some of the applications of graphite.
Table of Contents
ToggleUses of graphite in industry
Semiconductor industry
The graphite material used in semiconductors is of high purity, fine particles and high temperature resistance. Such as the generation of single crystal silicon and polycrystalline silicon.
Aerospace and military industry
Compared with other materials, graphite is corrosion-resistant and lightweight, and can be used as rocket nozzles and aircraft brake pads.
Graphite electrodes for arc furnaces
As an electrical conductor, graphite electrode has a low resistivity and does not participate in the chemical reaction in the arc furnace. When powered on, it generates a large amount of heat for smelting steel.
Aluminum electrolysis
As a conductive self-baking anode for electrolytic cells, it is used for aluminum smelting. It is divided into prebaked anodes and carbon paste electrodes.
Non-ferrous metal casting
Graphite molds have good machining properties and are used for cast iron, copper and alloys.
Mechanical industry
Used as bearings, pistons, and sealing materials, it has good wear resistance and sealing properties.
Nuclear reactors
As a deceleration material and reflective material, the high purity and density of graphite are suitable for nuclear reactions.
EDM processing
Graphite is used as an electrode material for electrospark machining, which is cheaper and has less loss than other materials.
Electrical engineering
The resistance of graphite is much lower than that of metals and is used as a resistor.
Lubricants
Natural flake graphite or artificial graphite powder has very good lubrication properties and is widely used as a lubricant.
Refractory materials
Graphite has high thermal stability, so it is used in high-temperature environments such as blast furnaces and pipelines.
Rare earth smelting
Mainly graphite anodes, graphite crucibles and conductive electrodes used for smelting.
Brush electrician
Graphite used in motors and generators as conductors to receive current.
Photovoltaic and LED
Graphite is widely used in the photovoltaic industry of solar power generation. For example, graphite crucibles are used in the production of polycrystalline silicon and monocrystalline silicon.
Spectral analysis
Graphite products used for measurement and measurement have high analytical sensitivity and are also good conductors of electricity and heat.
Electrochemistry
Graphite is used as a material for lithium batteries to store electricity. It has a small volume and high energy.
Chemical industry
Graphite exchangers are corrosion-resistant and anti-oxidation. They are used in various chemical equipment and devices.
Medical
The research and use of graphite materials in artificial internal organs, artificial joints, tooth roots and blood vessels.
Stationery
Pencil leads, inks, copier toners, etc., take advantage of the high flexural strength of graphite.
Conclusion
Due to the continuous emergence of new technologies and new materials, the uses of graphite are increasing. Not only in industry, but also widely used in daily life.