Synthetic Graphite Powder
synthetic graphite powder is a form of carbon that has been made artificially by heating raw materials to the point of graphitization. It is often derived from petroleum coke or coal pitch. It can also be manufactured from recycled electrodes, which are used all the way down to the nipple and then broken up into sizeable pieces for use as graphite powder. Secondary synthetic graphite can also be obtained by screening lathe turnings, which is then sized and used as needed. Another source is steelmaking kish, which is the large-volume near-molten waste skimmed off the molten iron feed to a basic oxygen furnace. It contains a mix of minerals including slag and graphite. The best recovery process utilizes hydraulic classification (which separates the mineral by specific gravity: graphite is light and settles nearly last) followed by leaching with hydrochloric acid to produce a 70% graphite rough concentrate.
The strongest synthetic graphites are produced by hot isostatic pressing (HIP). This technology converts the powder into fully dense components utilizing heated gas under extreme pressure, resulting in better physical properties than can be achieved with traditional press and sinter technologies. This makes HIP graphite suitable for use in high-purity applications such as EDM, the glass industry and chemicals.
Graf+ graphite powders and masterbatches are used in a variety of applications including adding electrical conductivity to lithium-ion batteries, increasing lubricity in arc welding and other metal working processes and adding thermal and acoustic insulation to foams and boards. These products are available in a range of particle sizes, BET surface areas, Scott densities and purities depending on the end use application. Elcan, using the Hi-Sifter equipment, works closely with many graphite users and producers to sieve their graphite powders into tight specifications.
