Do you have questions or would you like an appointment?
Call us or send us an e-mail.
Phone: +49 9187 5278
Graphite Laboratory
The quality of graphite needs permanent control. The test results are requested to be at hand as quick as possible because we all work under time pressure. The examinations have to be carried out by experts to get meaningful and trustworthy results. This is the reason why we started our own graphite lab for our quality control and as a support for our graphite projects. This graphite lab is open for our customers as well.
Target
Find out the properties, chances, advantages, and disadvantages of the flake graphite ore and its final graphite products.
Examination of the raw ore
We measure grain sizes, size fractions, moisture, volatile matter, loss on ignition (LOI), fixed carbon content, and ash content of the different size fractions after preparation of the raw ore for the flotation process. Microscopical analysis and HCl-test are also performed.
Preliminary standardized flotation tests at lab scale
We perform standardized flotation tests and measure the particle size distribution before and after processing of the graphite to be able to evaluate the quality of the flotation process and its impact on the particle size.
Other examinations and observations
We examine the different particle sizes of the graphite ore, the final products, and the waste sand under the microscope to determine the shape of the graphite particles and natural mineral impurities of the flake graphite.
Test report
It includes all observations, advantages, and disadvantages noted during the tests with the graphite ore and at the graphite products. We add recommendations for further tests to get more information about the properties of your graphite products, if advisable.
We discuss in depth for which applications and industries the examined graphite would be suitable or not. You will get a flow sheet for the process and a rough idea which equipment will be necessary for the processing plant.
We comment for which application the tested type of flake graphite is suitable or not and recommend further tests, if applicable.
Target
Determination of suitable applications.
Chemical purification test with your flotation concentrate
We offer tests for the chemical purification of your flake graphite flotation concentrate gained by the first flotation test at lab scale.
This test will show if it is possible to achieve a purity of 99.95 % of loss on ignition (LOI) with your flake graphite by application of the simplest and cheapest possible chemical purification process. This is a requirement for spherical graphite as used in Li-Ion-Batteries.
Preparation and expansion of expandable graphite
Expandable graphite is mainly needed to produce graphite foil and for flame retarding. Carbon content of 99 % min. for the flake graphite is required to be used for the production of graphite foil and for high performance expandable graphite for flame retarding.
Different methods of preparation of expandable graphite are tested and the graphite finally expanded
Producers’ actual methods of preparation.
Tests with alternative oxidizers and acids.
Tests with ancillary intercalation reagents.
Tests with additional application of ultrasound.
The tests yield indications for the best suitable method of preparation for a certain type of flake graphite and which expansion volume can be achieved at which expansion temperature. All tests and observations are documented in a detailed test report.