what is graphite used for

what is graphite used for

1 year ago 50
Nature

Graphite has a wide range of applications in various industries. Here are some of the most common uses of graphite:

  • Writing materials: Graphite is used in pencils to create precise and detailed drawings. It is popular among artists because it is easy to control, easy to erase, and produces a clean, professional look.

  • Lubricants: Graphite is one of the main ingredients in lubricants like grease, which reduces friction by creating a thin film or layer over the surface applied. It is also used in car brakes and clutches.

  • Refractory: Due to its high tolerance to heat and unchangeability, graphite is a widely used refractory material. It finds its use in the manufacturing industry and helps in the production of glass and steel as well as processing of iron.

  • Nuclear reactors: Graphite can absorb fast-moving neutrons, making it useful in reactors to stabilize nuclear reactions. It also provides structure for the CO2 gas to flow and removes heat from the nuclear fuel.

  • Electrical industry: Graphite is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity, making it useful in electrical devices such as electrodes, batteries, and solar panels. It is also used to make graphene sheets, which are 100 times stronger and 10 times lighter than steel.

  • Other industrial uses: Graphite has a myriad of other industrial uses in carbon brushes for electric motors, fire retardants, insulation and reinforcements products, arc lamps, brushes for electric motors, and cores of nuclear reactors.

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