When purchasing artificial graphite, it is crucial to understand its uses and performance requirements. Artificial graphite (usually refers to graphite materials made by artificial processes, widely used in batteries, metallurgy, electrodes and other fields) has a variety of types and specifications, and different applications have different requirements for artificial graphite. The following is a detailed guide to purchasing artificial graphite:
1. Clarify application requirements
Different applications have different requirements for artificial graphite, so when purchasing, you should choose the right product according to specific needs. Common application areas include:
(1)Battery industry : For battery negative electrode materials, graphite with a high degree of graphitization, uniform particle size distribution and low resistance characteristics should be selected.
(2)Electrode and metallurgical industry: In the metallurgical process, artificial graphite needs to have strong high temperature resistance, excellent conductivity and low ash and sulfur content.
(3)Foundry industry: Graphite used for casting needs good lubricity and thermal stability, which can improve the surface quality of castings and reduce gas generation.
(4)Conductive materials and lubricants: The requirements for conductivity and lubricity are high, and you need to pay attention to conductivity, wear resistance and chemical stability when selecting.
2. Choose the right particle size
The particle size of artificial graphite has a great influence on its use effect and performance. Choosing the right particle size is the key to ensure its best performance in a specific application. Zhong Carbon Energy Co., Ltd. has been deeply involved in the carbon industry for many years, and the particle sizes are 0.2-1mm, 1-3mm, 1-5mm, 5-10mm, 2-15mm, etc. At the same time, we can also customize the products you need according to your needs.
(1)Fine particle size: suitable for applications with high requirements for particle size such as battery negative electrode materials, conductive materials, and precision casting. Generally, graphite with a smaller particle size range (such as micron or submicron) is more suitable for these fields.
(2)Coarse particle size: suitable for metallurgy, electrode materials or casting industries, especially in occasions with high requirements for conductivity, strength and thermal stability. Graphite with larger particle size has better heat resistance and strength, but may not be suitable for some delicate applications.
3. Check the chemical composition
The chemical composition of artificial graphite directly affects its performance and applicability. The following parameters should be focused on when purchasing:
(1)Graphitization degree: Graphite with a higher degree of graphitization has better conductivity and high temperature resistance, and is suitable for fields requiring high performance such as batteries and metallurgy. Artificial graphite with a high degree of graphitization usually has lower resistance.
(2)Ash content: The ash content reflects the purity of the graphite. Graphite with a higher ash content may contain more impurities, affecting its performance. For fields such as metallurgy, batteries, and casting, graphite with a low ash content should be selected, usually less than 1%.
(3)Sulfur and nitrogen content: Sulfur and nitrogen components affect the conductivity and chemical reaction of graphite, especially in the fields of metallurgy and casting. Excessive sulfur and nitrogen content may lead to adverse chemical reactions. Therefore, low-sulfur and low-nitrogen graphite should be selected as much as possible.The sulfur content of artificial graphite produced by Zhong Carbon Energy Co., Ltd. is stable at around 0.05%, which is a very qualified low-sulfur graphitized petroleum coke.
(4)Moisture content: Graphite with a higher moisture content will affect the stability of storage and use, and the moisture content is usually required to be less than 1%.
4. Choose the right physical properties
(1)Conductivity: For graphite used in batteries and electrode materials, conductivity is one of the key properties. Graphite with better conductivity needs to be selected to improve efficiency and extend service life.
(2)Mechanical strength: For applications that need to withstand high mechanical stress (such as arc furnace electrodes and metallurgical industries), it is necessary to select artificial graphite with high mechanical strength, good compression and bending resistance.
(3)Thermal stability: When there are requirements for high temperature environments (such as metallurgy, casting and other industries), it is necessary to select graphite with strong thermal stability. This means that graphite can maintain stable physical and chemical properties at high temperatures.
5. Check the production process and quality control
(1)Production process: The production process of artificial graphite has an important impact on its quality. Traditional production processes include high-temperature carbonization and graphitization processes, in which the degree of graphitization is closely related to the production temperature and the selection of raw materials. Choose suppliers with advanced production processes and high degree of graphitization.
(2)Quality inspection: Experienced suppliers usually provide complete quality inspection reports, including key indicators such as degree of graphitization, ash content, sulfur content, and mechanical strength. When purchasing, ask suppliers to provide relevant inspection reports to ensure that the products meet the expected requirements.Zhong Carbon Energy Co., Ltd. has both ISO9001 certification and SGS test report.
6. Consider price and cost performance
Price is often an important factor in purchasing decisions, but considering price alone may ignore the importance of performance and quality. When purchasing artificial graphite, you should consider the price, performance and application requirements comprehensively and choose the product with the best cost performance.
(1)Low price does not mean good cost performance: some low-priced artificial graphite products may not meet the standards in performance and quality, which may eventually lead to higher use costs or quality risks.
(2)Long-term cost considerations: If you consider the performance stability and maintenance costs in long-term use, choosing high-performance graphite can often improve the overall cost performance of the product.
7. Sample testing
Try to ask suppliers to provide samples for testing to ensure that their performance meets specific needs and avoid quality discrepancies after large-scale purchases. Sample testing may include:
(1)Conductivity test: Verify the conductivity of battery negative electrode materials or electrode materials.
High temperature resistance test: For metallurgical and casting applications, test its high temperature resistance and thermal stability.
(2)Physical and chemical performance testing: Check key indicators such as graphite ash content, sulfur content, and mechanical strength.
8. Storage and transportation
(1)Packaging: Artificial graphite should be protected from moisture, contamination or damage during transportation. Make sure to choose well-packaged products to avoid problems during transportation.
(2)Storage conditions: Artificial graphite should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated environment to avoid moisture affecting its performance.
When purchasing artificial graphite, the key is to clarify the application requirements and choose the appropriate degree of graphitization, particle size, chemical composition and physical properties. Production process, price, etc. are also important factors. By comprehensively considering all the above aspects, you can ensure that you can purchase high-quality artificial graphite products that meet your needs and are cost-effective.
