Zoom on graphite powder: what are its advantages and disadvantages?
As you can see, graphite powder is a useful material in many fields. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this product?
- The advantages of graphite powder
The advantages of graphite powder are more numerous than its disadvantages. For example, this material is light, malleable, flexible and compressible, which makes it easy to use for various projects. In addition, graphite powder has good thermal and electrical conductivity and excellent heat resistance. Whatever its form, this product is also non-toxic.
- The disadvantages of graphite powder
Found in its natural state, graphite must undergo a modification process in order to give it the specific properties necessary for its intended use. However, this operation is not only complex and costly but also involves a lot of waste. The manufacture of synthetic graphite powder is also very expensive and time consuming.
When to use graphite powder?
More than we can imagine, graphite is all around us in our everyday objects and products. What are the uses of this carbon derivative? Here is what you need to know about it.
Graphite powder used in the manufacture of pencils
The famous wooden pencil or crayon is certainly the most common object that uses graphite powder. If some people think that its lead is made of lead, it is actually carbon powder. The graphite is mixed with clay to make a pencil. Charcoal is a very common drawing tool and also uses graphite powder.
Graphite powder used in the manufacture of electric arc furnaces
The electrodes used to manufacture electric arc furnaces are also made of synthetic graphite. The production of this type of electrodes represents about 1/3 of the world consumption of graphite.
Graphite powder used in the manufacture of refractory bricks
The refractory bricks used in the manufacture of furnaces for their ability to maintain heat are produced with graphite flakes. Here, natural graphite is the most used.
Graphite powder used in the manufacture of batteries
Graphite powder is also used in the manufacture of batteries. It is used both in its natural and synthetic state, but graphite powder is less important here since these batteries contain only small quantities of this material.
Graphite powder used as a lock lubricant
When the lock of your front door jams, you can find in the trade products based on graphite powder to lubricate the mechanism and allow you to find a perfectly functional lock without having to call a locksmith. Note that you can also use this product for your hinges, pivots or cylinders.
