Natural graphite

Natural Graphite is mainly used for refractories, batteries, steelmaking, expanded Graphite, brake linings, foundry facings, and lubricants. And a bit later, the alumina-graphite shape. As of 2017, the order of importance is alumina-graphite shapes, carbon-magnesite brick, Monolithics (gunning and ramming mixes), and crucibles.  Alumina-graphite shapes are used as continuous casting ware, such as nozzles and troughs, to convey the molten steel from ladle to mould, and carbon magnesite bricks line steel converters and electric-arc furnaces to withstand extreme temperatures. Graphite blocks are also used in parts of blast furnace linings where the high thermal conductivity of the Graphite is critical to ensure adequate cooling of the bottom and heart of the furnace. High-purity monolithics are often used as a continuous furnace lining instead of carbon-magnesite bricks. The US and European refractories industry had a crisis in 2000–2003, with an indifferent market for steel and a declining refractory consumption per tonne of steel underlying firm buyouts and many plant closures.[citation needed] Many plant closures resulted from acquiring Harbison-Walker Refractories by RHI AG, and some plants had their equipment auctioned off. Since much of the lost capacity was for carbon-magnesite brick, graphite consumption within the refractories area moved towards alumina-graphite shapes and Monolithics and away from the brick. The primary source of carbon-magnesite brick is now China. Almost all of the above refractories are used to make steel and account for 75% of refractory consumption; the rest of the various industries, such as cement operate the rest are looking for high quality, high purity and cost-effective Graphite, or if you require the latest price of Graphite, please feel free to email contact mis-asia.