Carbon

Carbon is a non-metallic mineral material. It occurs in nature as graphite and diamond.

Carbon products are also manufactured synthetically.

• Graphite occurs naturally as a mineral, but can also be manufactured from coke using a Heat treatment (2,800 °C). Graphite is resistant to high temperatures and corrosion. Its hexagonal layer lattice also exhibits excellent non-sticking characteristics. It conducts heat and electrical current. _x000B_Due to its properties, graphite is used in electrodes for Steelmaking in electric arc furnaces and in the fused-salt Electrolysis of aluminium. Graphite powder is used as a solid Lubricant or an additive for lubricating greases.
• Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring substance with the highest thermal Conductivity. It exhibits a high optical isotropic refraction of light. _x000B_Diamond is used in powder form in Lapping, Grinding and polishing applications. Due to their excellent lubricating properties, nanodiamonds are used in lubricating oils. Thanks to their high wear-Resistance, diamonds are also used in Drilling and Cutting tools. Diamond can be made electrically conductive using boron and phosphor additives.
• Carbon in the form of fibres and fabrics can be saturated in synthetic resins. These gas and liquid-impermeable materials exhibit good mechanical properties (good hot-Bending Strength) at a low density and mass, but their heat resistance is limited due to the use of polymers.