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Basic Identification
Graphite is a carbon crystal, commonly found in Ceylon, Madagascar and Ticonderoga, New York. It's found in coal beds, organically-rich shale and metamorphosed limestone. The name "graphite" is derived from the Greek word "graphein," which means "to write." It also commonly called "black lead" and "plumbago."
Uses
Graphite has an array of uses, especially when mixed with other substances. When mixed with clay, graphite takes on it's most widely known form as pencil lead. When mixed with oil, graphite is commonly used as a lubricant. It is also used in steel, brass and bronze industries. It's used to make crucibles---vessels designed to withstand temperatures high enough to melt their contents without destroying the crucible itself. It's also an ingredient in protective paints for structural iron and steel works, and used in protective coatings for foundry facings, electrodes, electrotype and stove polish.
Physical Properties
Graphite is commonly black or dark gray in color, and completely opaque. It's texture is clay-like and earthy. Graphite has loosely-bonded layers of atoms making it very soft. This gives it the ability to leave a mark on paper and is the fundamental difference between graphite and diamond.
Artificial Production
Much of the graphite used is artificially produced, as opposed to naturally occurring. Anthracite coal or petroleum coke is coated with an even layer of ash in small quantities and then subjected to an electrical current. The heat from this current converts the coal or petroleum coke into graphite.