The Composition And Application of Graphite Parts

Graphite parts are various products made mainly of graphite, which have excellent physical and chemical properties and are widely used in multiple fields. The following is a detailed introduction from the aspects of components and uses:

I. Main Components of Graphite Parts

The core component of graphite parts is graphite, and its chemical composition is mainly carbon (C). The purity varies greatly depending on the application.

High-purity graphite parts: The carbon content is usually above 99.9%, and can even reach 99.99%, with almost no other impurities. They are mainly used in scenarios with extremely high purity requirements (such as the semiconductor and photovoltaic fields).

· Ordinary graphite parts: The carbon content is generally between 90% and 99%, and may contain a small amount of impurities such as silicon, iron, and sulfur. They have a relatively low cost and are suitable for industrial scenarios where purity requirements are not high.

In addition, some graphite parts add a small amount of other materials (such as metal powder, ceramic fiber, etc.) to enhance specific properties (such as strength and oxidation resistance), but graphite still holds an absolute dominant position.

Ii. Main Uses of Graphite Parts

The application of graphite parts is closely related to their characteristics (such as high-temperature resistance, good electrical conductivity, strong chemical stability, and excellent lubricity, etc.), as follows:

1. Industrial high-temperature field

In the metallurgical industry, it is used as electrodes (such as graphite electrodes for steelmaking), crucibles (for melting precious metals or special alloys), heating elements (heating elements in high-temperature furnaces), etc., taking advantage of its high-temperature resistance (able to withstand temperatures above 3000℃) and electrical conductivity.

· Mechanical processing: As high-temperature molds (such as glass forming molds), due to the small coefficient of thermal expansion of graphite, it can ensure the dimensional stability of the mold.

2. Conductive and electronic fields

· Semiconductors and photovoltaics: High-purity graphite parts used in the thermal field components for monocrystalline silicon/polycrystalline silicon growth (such as crucibles, flow guide tubes), electrodes of ion implanters, etc., must meet the requirements of high purity and low impurity contamination.

· Battery industry: As the negative electrode material for lithium-ion batteries (processed parts of artificial graphite or natural graphite), it utilizes its excellent electrical conductivity and layered structure to achieve lithium-ion intercalation/deintercalation.

· Electrical equipment: used for brushes, carbon rods, etc., taking advantage of its electrical conductivity and wear resistance.

3. Chemical engineering and anti-corrosion field

Corrosion-resistant equipment: Graphite heat exchangers, reactors, pipelines, etc. are made. Due to the strong chemical stability of graphite, it can resist corrosive media such as acids and alkalis (except strong oxidants), and has good thermal conductivity, making it suitable for heat transfer scenarios in the chemical industry.

· Seals: As mechanical seal rings, they are suitable for sealing equipment in high-temperature, high-pressure or corrosive environments (such as pumps and valves) by taking advantage of their self-lubricating and wear-resistant properties.

4. Other special fields

· Aerospace: It is used for nozzles in rocket engines and heat dissipation components in spacecraft, taking advantage of its high-temperature resistance and lightweight characteristics.

· Nuclear industry: As a moderator and reflective layer material (high-purity graphite) for nuclear reactors, it can absorb neutrons and slow down the speed of nuclear reactions.

· Lubrication field: It is made into graphite lubricants (solid or paste) for lubrication of high-temperature and high-load mechanical parts (such as bearings, chains).

Summary

Graphite parts, with high-purity carbon at their core, play an irreplaceable role in fields such as metallurgy, electronics, chemical engineering, and aerospace due to their properties of high-temperature resistance, electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance, and lubrication. Moreover, with the development of industrial technology, their application scenarios are constantly expanding (such as new energy and high-end manufacturing).