Flake graphite has a layered structure constituting carbon atoms in a hexagonal lattice. Each planer layer constitutes carbon atoms with sp2 configuration, each carbon atom is bonded to three other carbon atoms via covalent bonds, leaving one free electron each. These planer sheets, one sheet is called graphene, are weakly bonded via Van der Waals force giving the flaky nature to the material. Given these molecular characteristics, flake graphite is a material with a unique set of properties, making it the preferred and mostly non-replaceable choice in various industries, products and applications. Though it is a non-metal, it has unique properties of both metals and non-metals.
AS A CONDUCTOR
- Being a pure form of carbon, it is the only non-metallic high-performance conductor of electricity
- It is also the only non-metallic high-performance conductor of heat
Tirupati Graphite PLC (LON:TGR) is a fully integrated specialist graphite and graphene producer, with operations in Madagascar and India. The Company is delivering on this strategy by being fully integrated from mine to graphene. Its global multi-location operations include primary mining and processing in Madagascar, hi-tech graphite processing in India to produce specialty graphite, and a state-of-art graphene and technology R&D center to be established in India.