Graphite is a naturally occurring mineral made of layers of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal structure. It was first discovered in 1565 in Britain but can also be found in other parts of the world. Graphite is an excellent conductor of electricity with high strength and thermal stability. It has various applications including use as a moderator in nuclear reactors, as a lubricant in manufacturing, and when mixed with clay to form the "lead" in pencils. Graphite is also used to produce dry lubricants and paints.

1. Graphite MaterialsGraphite Materials

2. History of GraphiteHistory of Graphite
- Naturally discovered around 1565 in Cumberland,- Naturally discovered around 1565 in Cumberland,
BritainBritain
- Also can be found naturally in Siberia, Germany &- Also can be found naturally in Siberia, Germany &
the United Statesthe United States
- Was named ‘graphite’ from the Greek word for- Was named ‘graphite’ from the Greek word for
writingwriting
- Synthetically created by- Synthetically created by
Edward G. AchesonEdward G. Acheson
E.G. AchesonE.G. Acheson

3. Graphite MaterialsGraphite Materials
Graphite:Graphite: Is a form of carbon that occurs as a naturalIs a form of carbon that occurs as a natural
mineral and is manufactured synthetically.mineral and is manufactured synthetically.
- Greasy material- Greasy material
- Strong conductor of electricity- Strong conductor of electricity
- High strength & chemical stability at elevated- High strength & chemical stability at elevated
temperaturestemperatures
- Low coefficient of thermal expansion and high- Low coefficient of thermal expansion and high
resistance to thermal shockresistance to thermal shock

4. PropertiesProperties
Composition Structure:Composition Structure: Layers of hexagonally arrangedLayers of hexagonally arranged
carbon atoms. Forming a HCPcarbon atoms. Forming a HCP
crystalline structure.crystalline structure.
Appearance:Appearance: Black to gray with a metallic earthly luster.Black to gray with a metallic earthly luster.
- Each carbon atom is bonded to- Each carbon atom is bonded to
three other carbon atoms stronglythree other carbon atoms strongly
but each layer is held togetherbut each layer is held together
with a weak bond due to van derwith a weak bond due to van der
WaalsWaals

5. ApplicationsApplications
- When mixed with clay & other materials it forms the
“lead” in lead pencils
- Graphite is used in nuclear reactors to act as a- Graphite is used in nuclear reactors to act as a
moderator to slow down neutronsmoderator to slow down neutrons
- Used in manufacturing as a lubricant to smooth- Used in manufacturing as a lubricant to smooth
surfaces so that castings can be removed from moldssurfaces so that castings can be removed from molds
easilyeasily
- Is also used as to produce numerous objects such as- Is also used as to produce numerous objects such as
dry lubricants, and paintsdry lubricants, and paints

6. ApplicationsApplications
- When mixed with clay & other materials it forms the
“lead” in lead pencils
- Graphite is used in nuclear reactors to act as a- Graphite is used in nuclear reactors to act as a
moderator to slow down neutronsmoderator to slow down neutrons
- Used in manufacturing as a lubricant to smooth- Used in manufacturing as a lubricant to smooth
surfaces so that castings can be removed from moldssurfaces so that castings can be removed from molds
easilyeasily
- Is also used as to produce numerous objects such as- Is also used as to produce numerous objects such as
dry lubricants, and paintsdry lubricants, and paints