Properties of graphite: Graphite is an important non-metallic mineral resource and allotropy of carbon.
The different crystalline forms of graphite determine its diverse industrial value and use. According to the different crystal forms of graphite in industry, graphite ore is divided into crystalline (flake-like) graphite ore and cryptocrystalline (earth block-like) graphite ore. From the mineralogy perspective, graphite is generally crystalline, and aphanitic graphite is also crystalline. Cryptocrystalline graphite is a crystalline graphite that can only be seen under an electron microscope.
Classification and use of graphite:
Graphite has many uses closely related to its internal structure. Graphite is a crystalline carbon with a layered hexagonal structure. The force between layers is small, and the spacing is large, making it prone to slip. Therefore, graphite has low hardness, lubricity, and plasticity. In addition, each C atom in the graphite structure forms only three covalent bonds with other C atoms, while each original C atom retains one free electron to transfer charge. Therefore, graphite has conductivity. And thermal conductivity depends on the intensity of free electron motion.
Introduction to the main properties and characteristics of graphite. High-temperature resistance. The strength of graphite increases with temperature, and at 2000 ℃, the strength of graphite doubles. The conductivity of conductive and thermal conductive graphite is 100 times higher than that of ordinary non-metallic minerals. The thermal conductivity exceeds that of metal materials such as steel, iron, and lead. The thermal conductivity decreases with increasing temperature, and graphite becomes an insulator even at extremely high temperatures. The lubricity depends on the size of the graphite flakes. The larger the flakes, the smaller the friction coefficient, and the better the lubrication performance. Chemical stability Good chemical stability at room temperature, resistant to acid, alkali, and organic solvent corrosion. Good plasticity and toughness can be ground into very thin sheets. Thermal shock resistance: When used at room temperature, it can withstand drastic temperature changes without damage or sudden temperature changes.
According to the different sizes of scales, flake graphite can be divided into four categories: giant flake graphite, large flake graphite, medium flake graphite, and small flake graphite. The degree of crystallization and scale size of graphite also vary regarding physical and chemical properties and applicable fields. In the past, the larger the scale, the higher the graphite value. With the increasing demand for small-scale graphite in lithium-ion battery negative electrode materials, the value of small-scale graphite will increase.
In traditional fields, graphite is mainly used in the mechanical, chemical, metallurgical, and light industries. It can be used as a lubricant, friction material, thermally conductive material, refractory mold, corrosion-resistant utensils, ink, pencils, etc. For example, natural graphite is mainly used for ironmaking and steelmaking (i.e., refractory materials); Synthetic graphite is mainly used as an electrode in electric furnace steelmaking, and adding synthetic graphite powder to molten steel can increase the carbon content of the steel.
As an important strategic resource, graphite was applied as early as the 16th century. With the development of technology, the application field continues to expand. The discovery of graphene in 2010 and the extensive exploration and research on graphene and graphite structure in recent years have shown broad application prospects in many fields such as optics, energy, aerospace, environment, new materials, and so on due to its excellent characteristics, which has made the society pay more and more attention to graphite. The application field of graphite will span the traditional fields and turn to aerospace, green environmental protection, the nuclear industry, and new materials—the application of strategic emerging fields such as new energy.
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