Graphitmaterials

Graphitmaterials, or graphite materials, are a broad class of carbon-based solids characterized by a layered structure of graphene sheets. This arrangement produces high electrical and thermal conductivity, low friction, chemical inertness, and mechanical properties that vary with orientation and porosity. They occur in natural forms and as synthetic grades produced for specific applications.

Natural graphite occurs in flake, lump, or amorphous forms formed by geological processes. Synthetic graphite is manufactured from carbon-rich precursors such as petroleum coke or coal tar pitch and subjected to high-temperature treatment to increase crystallinity and purity. Processing methods include shaping, binder addition, extrusion, or impregnation to form graphite blocks, foams, or composites.

Key properties of Graphitmaterials include high electrical conductivity, strong thermal conductivity, stability at elevated temperatures in inert or reducing environments, and relatively low density. In air, graphite oxidizes only at high temperatures, which can limit high-temperature use without protective atmospheres or coatings. Mechanical properties are anisotropic and depend on microstructure, porosity, and presence of binders or fillers. Applications often exploit conductivity, lubricity, and chemical resistance.

Common applications span industrial electrodes for steel and aluminum production, crucibles and refractory linings, dry lubricants and wear-resistant coatings, and conductive fillers in polymers. In energy storage, graphite is widely used as an anode material in lithium-ion batteries and can appear in supercapacitors and other electrochemical devices. Nuclear-grade graphite has been used as a moderator in certain reactor designs. Ongoing development focuses on nano-structured and graphene-enhanced forms to improve performance while addressing supply and environmental considerations.