What is Isostatic Graphite – A Complete Guide

What is Isostatic Graphite?

Isostatic graphite is a type of graphite material which is manufactured through the latest Isostatic pressing technology. It has very exceptional properties like high thermal conductivity and mechanical strength with high purity levels. It is widely used in the metallurgical industry, photovoltaic industry and aerospace industry.

Properties of Isostatic Graphite

• High Thermal Conductivity
• Low Coefficient of Thermal Expansion
• High Mechanical Strength
• High Purity
• Isotropic Structure
• Excellent Chemical Resistance
• Good Electrical Conductivity
• Low Porosity
• High-Temperature Resistance
• Dimensional Stability

Steps in the Manufacturing Process

1. Raw Material Storage: The storage silos hold the petroleum coke and pitch coke as raw materials.
2. Crushing Process: The crusher crushes the raw material into fine powder in the first production step.
3. Milling: In the next step, the centrifuge system separates raw coke particles of different sizes during milling.
4. Heavy Particle and Powder Separation: After the successful separation of heavy particles and powder.
5. Vibration and Sieving Operation: We subject the powder to vibration and sieving operation.
6. Molding the Paste: We mold the paste into the desired shape and lengths once we achieve the desired consistency.
7. Baking Process: In the next baking step, we heat the molds in high-temperature (greater than 1,000°C) furnaces to improve the material’s properties and achieve a higher density.
8. Cooling: After baking, cool down the prepared material to room temperature.
9. Electric Furnace: The prepared material is put in the electric furnace to heat (greater than 2,000°C degrees).
10. Crystalline Structure: The crystalline structure shows that all carbon atoms are arranged.
11. Monitoring the Process Duration: It takes almost 2 months for this process to keep an eye on the accurate temperature and duration.
12. Final Inspection: At the end, we inspect the Isostatic graphites for internal and external defects.

Benefits

• High Strength and High Density
• Excellent Thermal Conductivity
• Low Thermal Expansion
• Chemical Resistance
• Purity and Isotropy
• Superior Electrical Conductivity
• Versatility in Applications
• Dimensional Stability
• Customizability
• Longevity and Cost Efficiency

Applications

• Rocket nozzles and aircraft brake discs use isostatic graphite with high strength and thermal resistance.

• Semiconductor manufacturing companies use this in the production of many products.

• In the metallurgical industry, used for melting and forming of metals or alloys at high temperatures.

• Due to low thermal conductivity, it is the best nuclear reactor, moderator, and fuel element.

• The solar industry is using this isotropic material in the production of photolakes.

• The chemical industry is using it in pumps and heat exchangers.

• In EDM it is the main material for electrodes.

• It is used in glass manufacturing due to its high thermal resistance.

• Various automotive companies are using Isostatic graphite in vehicle brakes and gaskets.

FAQs

Differentiate between isostatic and extruded graphite?

Ans: Here are some differences:

How many types of graphite have?

Ans: Vein, flake, and amorphous graphite are three main types of graphite.

Which industries are using isostatic graphite most commonly?

Ans: Aerospace, nuclear, and semiconductor industries are commonly using isostatic graphite.

Conclusion

Isostatic graphite is a high-density graphite material that is pressed using isostatic pressure. It has many useful features such as thermal conductivity, strength, and chemical resistance. These features help various industries in their production. The manufacturing process includes several steps to deliver exceptional quality with strength and consistency in isostatic graphite.