Metallic - Excellent conductor of heat and electricity - Highest natural strength and stiffness of any material
Nonmetallic properties:
- High natural lubricity - Maintains strength and stability to temperatures of 3,600oC - One of the lightest reinforcing agents - Highly resistant to chemical attack
Marketable Graphite
Amorphous Graphite
Microcrystalline graphite ˜70% of world production and consumption. Graphite content ranges from 15% to 99% C. Widely used in industrial applications for its high melting point, resistance to thermal shock and lubrication.
Crystalline Flake Graphite
Flake graphite occurs only in a few locations around the world usually as flat platy crystals disseminated in metamorphic rocks. Total graphitic carbon grades are generally low ranging mostly from 2-6% C and rarely >10% C.
Flake graphite is classified and marketed based on the size of the graphite crystals (flake size) and by the carbon content (generally >94%C). Three main flake sizes:
Fine flake (100 - 149µm) Medium flake (149–177µm) Large flake (>177µm)
