Is Carbon Graphite Revolutionizing Industries with Unparalleled Versatility?

Highlights:

• Introduction
• Diverse applicability of carbon graphite across industries
• Prominent reasons behind the growing popularity of carbon graphite
• Key alliances by leading players

Carbon graphite is a versatile material that is widely used for various applications due to its beneficial properties. The material offers greater wear resistance, enhanced self-lubricating properties, higher temperature-tolerating capabilities, and the ability to be used with corrosive materials. They are mostly made from two things including powders and binders. The powders include synthetic graphite, petroleum coke, carbon black, and other forms of carbon. However, coal tar pitch is the binder commonly used in carbon graphite materials.  Because of its unique properties, carbon graphite possesses a wide range of applicability across various industries.

In which ways can carbon graphite help industries elevate their performance?

Carbon graphite is used in numerous industrial applications due to its extraordinary properties. In the aerospace sector, this material helps aircraft manufacturers to reduce costs. Nowadays, several manufacturers emphasize designing aircraft using lightweight and durable materials to cut significant costs. Carbon graphite acts as an ideal material for this emerging concern. It offers an affordable way to use lightweight, strong, and durable materials in designing aircraft. This adaptable material also ensures the longevity and dependability of various complex machines used in aircraft. It further replaced aluminum, which is majorly used in designing the aircraft's body. Previously, aluminum acted as an important material in the aerospace industry as it offered an inexpensive way to manufacture high-quality aircraft. The Boening 787 Dreamliner has used this material to make its fuselage, tails, and wings. Moreover, Space X and Virgin Galactic also use 70% of this beneficial material and only 20% of aluminum designing modern spacecraft. Because of the increased use of carbon graphite in the manufacturing of advanced aircraft, the aerospace segment is predicted to hold the highest share of the carbon graphite industry, manifesting a CAGR of 6.0% during 2023-2032.

Furthermore, carbon graphite also plays a major role in wastewater treatment. Wastewater pumps mostly require heavy-duty bearings to run submerged in water. Materials such as bronze, are not lubricated sufficiently by water as carbon graphite is. Additionally, the atomic attraction of bronze bearings to a metallic shaft also results in seizing. However, the bearings made up of these beneficial materials do not have such problems, offering enhanced durability to run submerged in most types of fluids, including wastewater.

On the other hand, carbon graphite has also found its applications in nuclear power plants. These plants rely on high-temperature dampers that can re-direct the flow of air which is essential across the facility. These dampers rely on bearings that can withstand high temperatures and offer low maintenance. Carbon graphite can provide the framework through which carbon dioxide gas flows to remove heat from the nuclear fuel and control rods used to shut down the reactor, improving the safety of the nuclear reactors.

Compelling reasons why carbon graphite has become popular across industries

The material is highly deployed by industries to decrease their operational costs and improve efficiency.  Many food processing industries have started using this material because of its mechanical and chemical properties and its sanitary attributes. Its beneficial properties have increased its use while designing blanchers, sterilization equipment, and conveyor ovens. Moreover, its self-lubricating characteristics have decreased the need for oil or grease lubrication in food processing and handling equipment. Furthermore, its unique atomic structure makes it highly suitable for its use in various commercial and industrial lubricants. Distinct layers of graphite are weakly bonded together which allows it to deposit easily on a contact surface. Graphite can be used as a lubricant in different forms including solid powder, as a film, or as a fluid dispersion. Additionally, carbon graphite offers greater electrical conductance while remaining chemically inert and stable against corrosion. This makes them suitable for acting as anode material in lithium-ion batteries. Unlike traditional batteries, this material can also help in generating power along with storing electrical energy.

How are recent moves by leading players reshaping the carbon graphite domain?

The carbon graphite industry is experiencing significant growth due to the increase in demand for this material in various automotive applications including clutches, brake pads, and gaskets. Several players in the industry have made profitable alliances such as partnerships, collaborations, mergers, and acquisitions to stay ahead in the competitive landscape. For instance, in October 2023, TMS International, a leading provider of industrial steel services announced its partnership with Nippon Carbon Co., Ltd, a pioneering company in the carbon industry. With this partnership, the companies aimed to develop green and low-carbon solutions to create a model of comprehensive utilization of scrap steel, enhancing the performance of graphite electrodes.

Similarly, in June 2023, Resistotech Industries, manufacturer and exporter of a wide range of PTFE-lined piping systems announced its acquisition of SGL Carbon India, a global leader in the development and manufacture of carbon-based solutions. With this acquisition, Resistotech aimed to expand its portfolio by incorporating German technology in graphite-based products along with equipment, manpower, machinery, and skilled workforce.

To sum up, the increase in demand for carbon graphite materials in designing advanced aircraft and defense systems is expected to fuel the growth of the domain in the coming era. Furthermore, the increase in these materials' use in 3D printing and manufacturing processes is expected to create wide growth opportunities in the future.

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