Graphite is a naturally occurring allotrope of carbon that can occur in crystalline flakes, amorphous shapes or in lumps of graphite. It is shiny and dark to medium gray in color. Natural graphite is most commonly used to produce lead for use in marking. Graphite can also be synthetically produced in items such as electrodes, rods and tubes; however, it may have slightly different physical properties.
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Graphite is the most stable form of carbon, the other allotrope being diamond, and due to this is able to withstand extremely high temperatures without changing its structure or properties. Graphite is also a semimetal and is an excellent electrical conductor which leads to its multiple uses in the industrial and manufacturing sectors. The nuclear, chemical, electrical, electronics, automotive, aerospace and mechanical industrial all use forms of graphite in products such as paints, batteries, brake linings, lubricants and nuclear reactor moderators. Arc furnace electrodes are another major use of graphite as it is able to reach temperatures high enough to melt scrap steel for recycling. The graphite is formed into electrode columns which make up the roof structure of the arc furnace and enable it to reach temperatures of 5000°F, which is high enough to melt the scrap steel and allow it to be recycled into new products.
The synthetic form of graphite is also widely used in the production of steel and steel products. Graphite is often also ground into thin powder of differing grain sizes and used for extrusion, die molding or cold isostatic pressing. The dry powder form of graphite is an effective dry lubricant and is used in steel casting die lubrication to provide a layer on the mold and ease part ejection. Commercially, powdered graphite is widely available to help loosen locks and machinery which may have become stiff or blocked due to lack of lubrication. Graphite is often used a cost-effective alternative to using a carbon additive in a process, as many of its properties are the same but often at a less expensive price. Naturally, the carbon atoms in graphite are arranged in strongly bonded thin plates. These are fairly flexible, but brittle and inelastic. Graphite is easily determined by its softness, luster, density and streak, especially as it leaves dark gray or black marks on most surfaces. The graphite layers are not strongly attached to each other and can easily be rubbed off into thin flexible flakes.
