one more.....

one more.. http://aheadoftheherd.com/Newsletter/2012/Ahead-Of-the-Herd-With-Strike-Graphite.html

key outtake given the report was very specific in highlighting the flake size well at the upper end (I think current prices for large flake is just under $2000 per tonne currently)

Rick: I’ve had a lot of people asking me about what the industry means by ‘large-flake’ and why one flake is more valuable than the other. Could you explain to our readers exactly what is meant by flake size?

Jody: Well, large-flake graphite is generally referred to as 80 mesh. Mesh size is a technique of measuring openings in a screen. Different mesh sizes correspond to measurement sizes of the screen openings. Millimeters, or microns would the best way to characterize a mesh size.

80 mesh corresponds to greater than 177 microns in size, 0.177 mm. So, that is what the large-flake graphite is classified as, greater than 177 microns, and it demands the highest price. You can always crush something that is coarse grained and make it smaller, but it is far more expensive to upgrade something that is fine grained into something coarse grained.

The reason the large flake demands the greatest price is because it has the greatest electrical conductivity - it makes the best batteries. Large-flake graphite costs anywhere from $2,500 to $3,500 per tonne.

Rick: Okay, could you explain the different sizes they talk about with respect to the grade and the money they get, the 40 mesh etc., get into that?

Jody: Ok, large flake refers to grains that will not pass 80 mesh and is greater than 177 microns, which is 0.177 mm and up. I prefer to use the micron size, which is in millimeters (mm) as opposed to mesh size because it’s a lot easier for people to understand.

Medium-flake graphite is in the 149-177 micron range. Fine flake is less 149 microns, which is 0.149 mm. Amorphous graphite is generally less than 37 microns and the price is generally under $1000 a tonne.

From the fine flake and above, you start to get a dramatic jump in prices. Currently, fine flake ranges from $2,000 to $2,500. Medium flake is actually priced very close, and the large flake can be anywhere from $2,500 to $3,500 or above even.