What is Expandable graphite?
Expandable graphite products using high quality flaky graphite as raw material, and after special chemical process. Expandable graphite are instantaneous high temperature treatment, flake becoming to vermicular , volume expand 100~400times, this expandable graphite still keep the performance of nature graphite, and having good mold plasticity, flexible scalability and sealing ability, it is the good sealing material of graphite plates, also can be used for the metallurgical industry protection slag, flame retardant material.
Expandable graphite is a type of graphite powder treated with certain chemicals to produce a material with unique properties. It has a high degree of expansion potential, which can be used to create lightweight and strong products.
The following are some potential applications of expandable graphite
Separation and adsorption: Expandable graphite has good separation and adsorption properties, which can be used for water treatment, oil refining, and other fields. It can adsorb heavy metals, dyes, and other pollutants from water and can also be used for flue gas desulfurization and denitrification.
Electrodes: Expandable graphite has good electrical conductivity and could be used as electrodes for energy storage devices such as capacitors and batteries. In addition, expandable graphite can also be used in producing supercapacitors, electric vehicles, and other fields related to energy storage.
Additives: Expandable graphite can be added to various materials as an additive to improve the performance of the materials. For example, it can be added to rubber products to improve the aging resistance and wear resistance of the products, and it can also be added to composite materials to improve the strength and toughness of the products.
Heat insulation: Expandable graphite has good heat insulation performance, which can be used for heat insulation and energy conservation in buildings and vehicles. It can also produce heat-insulating tiles, pipes, and other insulation materials.
Biomaterials: Expandable graphite has good biocompatibility and bioactivity, which can be used for bone tissue engineering and drug delivery. It can be used as a drug carrier to achieve targeted drug delivery.
Electromagnetic shielding: Expandable graphite has good electromagnetic shielding performance, which can effectively shield electromagnetic interference (EMI) generated by electronic devices and appliances, protecting the function and stability of the devices. It can be used for electromagnetic shielding in mobile phones, computers, and other electronic products.
Automotive parts: Expandable graphite has good lightness, heat resistance, and recyclability, which can replace traditional plastic materials to make automotive parts such as interior trim, bumper beams, and body panels. It can reduce the weight of vehicles, improve fuel economy and emission reduction performance, and meet the recycling and environmental protection requirements.
1)
Expandable graphite should be stored in a dry, ventilated place where
there is no other sources of pollution (recommended: temperature ≤ 45 °
C, humidity ≤ 85%);
2) Expandable graphite should be neatly stacked, and the production batch number, date and other signs should be clearly identified;
3) Expandable graphite
should be carefully Handled during transportation to avoid the damage
of the packaging; products that leak out of the package must not be
returned to the box.
How to produce Expandable graphite ?
The production of expandable graphite involves a series of complex chemical reactions and processing steps. Here is a general process for the production of expandable graphite:
Graphite powder is prepared. Graphite is a naturally occurring mineral with a layered structure. It is obtained through mining and beneficiation processes and ground into powder using grinding or ball mills.
The graphite powder is mixed with a suitable chemical reagent to form a slurry. The chemical reagent is typically an oxidizing agent, such as sulfuric acid or nitric acid, that modifies the surface chemistry of the graphite powder.
The slurry is heated to a high temperature in a reactor. This heating process initiates the exfoliation of the graphite layers, resulting in the formation of individual layers of graphite called platelets or flakes.
The exfoliated graphite platelets are washed to remove any remaining chemical reagents and impurities.
The washed platelets are then heated under a controlled atmosphere to a temperature sufficient to undergo further exfoliation and intercalation. This can be done using an oven or furnace and typically requires a controlled temperature of about 800°C to 1,000°C.
The exfoliated graphite platelets are then treated with a suitable reducing agent to reduce their oxygen content and restore their electrical conductivity. This step is necessary as the oxidation process introduced during the production process can significantly reduce the electrical conductivity of the final product.
Finally, the exfoliated graphite platelets are sieved and separated into different-size fractions for further processing or use.
Technical Parameter of Expandable graphite:
Specification | Carbon | Volatile | moisture | exponsion degree | PH | Particle Size |
Result | 90%-99.9% | ≤13 | ≤2.5 | 130-400 | 3-6 | ≥80 |