Synthetic Graphite
Nowadays, the ubiquitous presence of synthetic graphite in our daily lives often goes unnoticed, from the phones in our hands to the cars we drive. This form of graphite is integral to numerous specialized industries, serving as conductors in steel production, electrical components in medical devices, essential elements in lubricants, and as main anodes in lithium-ion batteries, etc.
Synthetic graphite is produced from high-purity carbon, primarily sourced from various types of petroleum coke. Its chemical inertness allows it to endure extreme temperatures and resist corrosion, making it an invaluable resource in fields requiring reliable performance from carbon materials. Unlike natural graphite, synthetic graphite can be engineered with or without a pitch binder to achieve desired levels of purity and structural consistency though its crystalline structure is less pronounced.
The production process of synthetic graphite involves heating calcined petroleum coke above 2800°C in either horizontal Acheson furnaces or vertical continuous furnaces. This intense heat treatment facilitates the transformation of amorphous carbon atoms into a hexagonal lattice, rendering the material electrically conductive.
Available in powder, block, or cylindrical forms, synthetic graphite can be classified as primary (directly produced) or secondary. Primary synthetic graphite powders offer advantages in control, stability, and purity over natural flake graphite, which is derived through chemical flotation and purification processes. Furthermore, from an environmental standpoint, synthetic graphite production is considered more favorable than that of natural flake graphite, which typically involves the extensive use of harmful acids for purification during the complicated chemical flotation processes.
The unique properties of synthetic graphite, including its conductivity, heat resistance, and lubricating capabilities, make it a versatile material across various industries such as metal production, lubricants, coatings, refractories, carbon brushes, batteries, etc. Its role is especially pronounced in the battery sector and energy storage applications, where its demand is expected to grow tremendous in next one or two decades. Reflecting an ancient Chinese idiom, synthetic graphite is very much alike to "an old tree blooming with new flowers," symbolizing its enduring significance and promising future in the global graphite market.
Previous page
Next page
Oops!
I can't find the page!
Possible reasons are:
The website may be under maintenance or there may be a program problem.
Back to Home Page