Mineral Facts and Problems: 1960 Edition Page: 365
v., 1016 p. : ill., maps ; 27 cm.View a full description of this report.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
GRAPHITE
The manufactured-graphite industry has im-
proved its products by extensive research and
development work to determine the effect of
various grain-size distributions, different bind-
ers, gas extraction of impurities, and other
variables on the properties of graphite. Such
industry-financed research is continuing, but
large improvements in the properties of
graphite are unlikely by present commercial
processes.
Better manufactured graphite than now
available is needed as components of missiles
being designed. Missile manufacturers do some
research and testing of graphite but require365
more data, especially on the following: (1)
Stress vs. strain at various controlled strain
rates; (2) total creep strain at various tempera-
tures and stresses; (3) fatigue strength and
damping capacity at elevated temperatures;
and (4) impact strength.
The Department of Defense spends perhaps
$500,000 a year on graphite research, but only a
small part is devoted to basic research on the
structure of graphite and new ways of making
graphite.
The Atomic Energy Commission conducts ex-
tensive research on the nuclear properties of
graphite (10).OUTLOOK
Both the short- and long-term supply out-
look is favorable for graphite of all types re-
quired for the U.S. domestic economy. Out-
put of all grades of Ceylon lump and Mada-
gascar flake and fines is well below production
capabilities, and producers in both countries
are actively seeking additional markets. So
long as supply lines remain open to Ceylon and
Madagascar there probably will be no incentive
for domestic consumers to attempt to develop
alternate sources of supply, and the. stockpile
inventories will meet estimated essential war-
time requirements even if no imports can be
obtained.
The supply of domestic and Mexican graph-
ite is ample, and productive capacity is greater
than demand. Output undoubtedly will in-
crease to meet the requirements of an expand-
ing economy.
Graphite imports from sources other than
Ceylon, Madagascar, and Mexico will be avail-
able on either a continuing or intermittentbasis; however, they are not essential, and other
available types of graphite can be substituted
for them.
There is no indication of a major increase
in requirements for natural graphite. The
shift to silicon carbide-graphite crucibles has
reduced total requirements for crucible-flake
graphite, and consumption of this type prob-
ably will not greatly exceed 4,000 short tons
a year. In a peacetime economy, the use of all
other types of graphite in foundry facings, as a
recarburizer in steelmaking, and for other ap-
plications will increase moderately.
Manufactured-graphite production facilities
have been expanded and are believed adequate
for present needs. Because of the importance
for atomic reactors, guided missiles, and simi-
lar new uses and because there is a trend to-
ward using more and larger graphite electrodes
for metallurgical applications, additional ex-
pansion can be expected.PROBLEMS
A major problem of the natural-graphite-
producing industry is the limited market for
graphite of each type. Despite the fact that
the free world prefers Ceylon and Madagascar
graphite for most uses requiring high-quality
graphite, producers in these countries must
spend considerable effort attempting to widen
their markets. This marketing problem is
accentuated for other foreign and domestic
producers.
Other sources of high-quality graphite usu-
ally cannot be exploited at a profit, because the
demand is low and consumers are reluctant to
change from satisfactory long-used sources to
new sources that would require adjustments in
formulas and manufacturing techniques, espe-
cially as there is no assurance of long-term con-
tinuing supplies from the new sources. Thus,even assuming that new producers could supply
equal or superior grades of graphite at the same
or lower prices than Ceylon and Madagascar
producers, their problem would remain one of
marketing. Going concerns also face the diffi-
culty of expanding markets for their products,
because they are "new" to most potential
customers.
Major technologic problems of the United
States natural-graphite industry are how to de-
termine the degree of interchangeability pos-
sible among various types of graphite and
among graphites of the same type from differ-
ent sources, and how to reduce United States
dependency on foreign sources of high-quality
graphite, especially Madagascar crucible flake
and Ceylon lump.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This report can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Report.
United States. Bureau of Mines. Mineral Facts and Problems: 1960 Edition, report, 1960; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc38790/m1/373/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.