General Knowledge - General Science - Discussion

Graphite is an allotrope of carbon but only 3 electrons satisfied. Their layers are slippery in nature. Due to this they are used as lubricating.

Why not silicon?

Thanks for describing this.

Graphite contains layers of carbon atoms. The layers slide over each other easily because there are only weak forces between them, making graphite slippery. Graphite contains delocalised electrons (free electrons).

Thank you all for explaining the answer.

Thanks for all your information.

I got it now, Thanks for the help.

Graphite is the 'gray lead in your drawing pencil. Graphite is not lead at all; the misnomer arose because it was mistaken for a form of leGraphite is best suited for lubrication in air. Water vapour is a necessary component for graphite lubrication. The adsorption of water reduces the bonding energy between the hexagonal planes of the graphite to a lower level than the adhesion energy between a substrate and the graphite. Because water vapour is a requirement for lubrication, graphite is not effective in a vacuum. Because it is electrically conductive, graphite can promote galvanic corrosion. In an oxidative atmosphere, graphite is effective at high temperatures up to 450° C continuously and can withstand much higher temperature peaks.

Ad when first discovered in England. Graphite is, in fact, a form of carbon, and is non-toxic. Pencils have never been made from lead, but it was not until the late 18th century that the true composition of the material was identified, and the original name stuck. Modern pencil cores contain an extruded blend of pulverised graphite and clay.

How graphite is used as a lubricant?

Graphite is a solid lubricant.