\▐gra-▐fīt\ n [Gr Graphit, fr. Gk graphein to write] (1796) (black lead, plumbago) A crystalline form of carbon with atoms arranged hexagonally, characterized by a soft, greasy feel. It occurs naturally, but is produced by heating petroleum coke or other organic materials under controlled atmospheric conditions. In powder form, graphite is used as a lubricating filler for nylon and fluorocarbon resins. Too, it is added to compounds to make them electrically conductive. Pyrolytic graphite fibers, made by decomposing organic filaments at high temperatures in controlled atmospheres, are used as reinforcements for high-performance applications. The best graphite fibers are among the strongest and stiffest of all fibrous reinforcements, with strengths to 2.5 GPa and moduli to 500 GPa (360 kpsi and 72 Mpsi). (Pierson HO (1994) Handbook of carbon, graphite, diamond and fullerenes. Noyes Data Corporation/Noyes Corporation, New York).
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© 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC
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Gooch, J.W. (2011). Graphite. In: Gooch, J.W. (eds) Encyclopedic Dictionary of Polymers. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6247-8_5617
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