Increased surface area of flake graphite by chemical and mechanical treatments

Abstract

Recently, carbon-containing refractories have demonstrated good properties of corrosion and thermal shock resistance, and have become major resources in the steel industry. On the other hand, carbon-containing refractories had some problems in terms of high temperature oxidation and high heat conductivity. To maintain these advantages and solve the problems, it is necessary to increase the carbon surface area. In this paper, flake graphite was laminated in order to increase specific surface area. Flake graphite was evaluated as a raw material. The flake graphite was immersed in diluted acidic solution to form GICs ( graphite intercalated compounds), which are inserted into the gap of the graphite layer. After acid treatment, for lamination of the graphite layer, dried GICs were ball-milled. Rod-shaped media could help to reduce the crushing effect and increase the lamination effect during the milling process.