Expandable Graphite

Expandable Graphite

    Specifications
    HS Code 526692
    Appearance black or grayish-black powder or flake
    Density relatively low
    Thermal Conductivity high
    Electrical Conductivity good
    Expansion Ratio high upon heating
    Chemical Stability stable in many common environments
    Flammability non - flammable
    Acid Resistance resistant to most acids
    Alkali Resistance has certain resistance to alkalis
    Lubricity good lubricating property

    As an accredited Expandable Graphite factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.

    Packing & Storage
    Packing Expandable Graphite in 5 - kg bags, well - sealed for chemical protection.
    Storage Expandable graphite should be stored in a cool, dry, well - ventilated area. Keep it away from heat sources, open flames, and strong oxidizing agents. Store in tightly sealed containers to prevent moisture absorption, which could affect its expandability. Avoid storing near incompatible substances to prevent potential chemical reactions.
    Shipping Expandable graphite is shipped in sealed, moisture - resistant containers to prevent degradation. It's transported with care, following strict chemical shipping regulations to ensure safety during transit.
    Free Quote

    Competitive Expandable Graphite prices that fit your budget—flexible terms and customized quotes for every order.

    For samples, pricing, or more information, please call us at +8615380400285 or mail to sales2@liwei-chem.com.

    We will respond to you as soon as possible.

    Tel: +8615380400285

    Email: sales2@liwei-chem.com

    Expandable Graphite Expandable Graphite
    General Information
    Historical Development
    The extensibility of graphite began to appear at the end of the nineteenth century in the West. At that time, scholars devoted themselves to studying and analyzing its structure, chemical gain, and make it expand when heated. By the middle of the twentieth century, technology had become increasingly advanced, and countries competed to develop it for fire protection, sealing, and adsorption. With the advancement of science and technology, the production method has become more innovative, chemical modification, strong physical properties, and wide application, covering several industrial fields. In recent years, the concept of environmental protection has become more and more popular, and it has expanded to new energy and environmental protection projects. Its performance is outstanding. When it encounters fire, it expands spontaneously, breaks off and spreads, the process evolves, and the texture is upgraded. For more than a hundred years, graphite has been expanded from its infancy to its use, through innovation to perfection, and through time to meet the needs of the world, eventually becoming an indispensable material for industry.
    Product Overview
    Expanded graphite, taken from natural flake graphite, made by special chemical treatment. Its loose and layered structure, when exposed to high temperature, it is separated layer by layer, and the volume increases sharply. It is like a worm, so it is called expanded graphite in the world. High temperature resistance, with excellent electrical conductivity, heat conduction, flame retardant and sealing properties. It is widely used in fire retardant, sealing gasket, adsorbent, metallurgy and many other fields. Its chemical properties are stable, acid and alkali corrosion resistance, can be processed into jewelry, plates and composites on demand, and is an important material for modern industrial production. And environmentally friendly, non-toxic, recyclable, and should be in line with the concept of green development. Easy to use, no special requirements for storage, it is a new material with multi-functional and high performance.
    Physical & Chemical Properties
    Expanded graphite is a chemical reagent impregnated with natural flake graphite. After being roasted at high temperature, the mixed ions are inserted between the layers, which then cause rapid expansion when heated, and the shape is like a worm. Its color is gray-black, light and loose, and greasy to the touch. Stable at room temperature, insoluble in water and organic solvents, with excellent electrical and thermal conductivity. Its high temperature resistance, non-flammable in case of fire, can expand to hundreds of times the original volume, barrier gas, and have the function of flame retardant and self-extinguishing. In terms of chemical properties, it is resistant to most acid and alkali corrosion, and can only react with strong oxidants. Micro-obvious oily, easy to compound with polymer. The porous structure generated after expansion has the equivalent of adsorption, sealing, and heat insulation. It is a new type of functional material and is widely used.
    Technical Specifications & Labeling
    Expandable Graphite is made of natural flake graphite as raw material and expanded by acid leaching. It is dark in color and loose in texture. The particle size is between 20 and 80 mesh. The carbon content is as high as 98%, and the expansion rate can reach 150 times. It expands rapidly when heated and exposed to high temperature. The pH value is about 6 to 8, and the moisture content does not exceed 1%. The sulfur content is low, the impurities are very thin, and the fluidity is good. Tested by national standards, the appearance of the product is uniform, and the impurities are not obvious. It is suitable for applications in various fields such as flame retardancy, sealing, and thermal insulation. The packaging adopts multi-layer moisture-proof woven bags, each bag has a net weight of 25 kilograms, and the batch number and specifications are marked. They are stored in sequence for easy identification.
    Preparation Method
    The system of expanded graphite is based on high-purity graphite, mixed with concentrated sulfuric acid and nitric acid, supplemented by potassium permanganate as an oxidizing agent. At the beginning, graphite is immersed in acid solution to make the interlayer ions permeable, and then an oxidizing agent is slowly added to make the graphite lattice embedded with sulfate or nitrate. In the meantime, the oxidant catalyzes decomposition, causing the reaction to be violent and the structure to be loose. The temperature should be kept at a moderate temperature to avoid burning of graphite. After the reaction is completed, rinse with a large amount of water to remove the residual acid, and then dry it. At this time, the microstructure of the obtained product has been changed, and the volume will increase sharply when exposed to high temperature. The effect can be fireproof and heat insulated. This method is good at catalysis, saves raw materials, and has excellent expansion rate of the finished product. It
    Chemical Reactions & Modifications
    Expanded graphite is obtained by chemical reaction modification of natural graphite. To prepare it, graphite is first impregnated with oxidizing agents such as concentrated sulfuric acid, nitric acid or phosphoric acid, so that a large number of expansion agents are embedded between the graphite layers. Hydrogen peroxide, potassium chlorate, etc. are often supplemented to promote the reaction. When the embedding agent fills the layer gap, it is suddenly added at high temperature, and the expansion agent decomposes and releases gas. The graphite layer expands rapidly, and the volume surges. It is like a worm, which is expanded graphite. In order to enhance its performance, or with nitrogen, boron, phosphorus and other elements as doping, or with organic polymers coated on the surface, its fire retardancy, oxidation resistance and adsorption properties can be improved. However, the modification process must be well controlled, and if there is a slight carelessness, it may cause insufficient insertion or damage to the graphite matrix. Therefore, the process is refined to obtain high-performance expanded graphite, which is widely suitable for flame retardant, sealing and other fields.
    Synonyms & Product Names
    Expanded graphite is a delicate process of graphite, and its properties are different from ordinary ones. Or expandable graphite, also known as activated graphite, and the same is true for extended graphite. Merchants have different uses, or flame retardant graphite, which releases its fire protection power; or expandable graphite, which is marked with its expansion properties. It is called Expandable Graphite in the west, and there is the name Graphite Intercalation Compound in the market. The labels of goods, or see Exfoliable Graphite, Flexible Graphite, etc., all refer to this thing. However, its origin originates from flake graphite, which is impregnated with mixed acid to embed various ions between the layers. When heated, it expands, forming a worm-like light canopy. The market is distinguished by its use, or it is dedicated to sealing, flame retardant, and high temperature resistant equipment, so the product names have different words. There are many categories and mixed names, but the essence is the same, all of which are based on expanded graphite.
    Safety & Operational Standards
    Expanded graphite, obtained from high-quality graphite, chemically treated, with the use of expansion and flame retardant. safety is at stake. When it is implemented, protection should be given priority. Wear long-sleeved work clothes, hand goggles, and dust-proof equipment should be covered at the nose and mouth. Its storage must be away from the source of fire heat and in a cool and ventilated house. Do not mix with strong oxidizing agents and acids and alkalis to prevent violent reactions. Open the seal and use it, do not hit it strongly, and do not stir with sharp objects. Measurement should be accurate, and the remaining speed should be sealed, and do not be exposed to gas for a long time. In the place of operation, an exhaust device must be installed to remove floating dust. Sweep the floor frequently, and do not wash it with water to avoid moisture and easy swelling. If you accidentally touch the skin, you should wash it with water immediately, the clothes are contaminated, and replace it quickly. If it reaches your eyes and nose, rush it with running water in a hurry; if it causes coughing, leave the place of operation, and seek medical treatment if necessary. Although expanded graphite is not toxic, due to its swelling nature, in case of high temperature, its volume will suddenly surge, and be careful to avoid negligent burning and explosion. Every operation, you must check the safety of the equipment and be vigilant against the hidden dangers of fire and electricity. If you start a fire, put it out with a dry powder device, and disable the water flush to prevent drastic changes. In the storage warehouse, it is advisable to establish safety rules and instructions in books. Operators should be trained regularly, and their characteristics should be clear. Clean up after get off work, classify the remaining materials, seal the utensils, and clean the site. All these are fundamental to safety. If you dispose of waste, you must follow the procedures and properly dispose of it, and do not discard it at will to prevent environmental risks. In summary, the operation of expanded graphite should be based on safety, caution, and caution.
    Application Area
    Expanded graphite, with strange properties, suddenly expands when heated, surges in volume, and has loose texture. Its application field is very wide, first seen in the flame retardant industry, mixed with polymer materials, can expand into charcoal in the fire, block smoke, protect its body. In the chemical industry, it is often used as filler and gasket to deal with the invasion of strong acid and alkali, and seal it without permeation. Some people take its high conductivity and excellent heat dissipation, making electrodes and thermal interface materials, which are widely used in electronic devices. And it can desulfurize and deodorize, apply to environmental protection, and purify flue gas effectively. In the fields of construction, transportation, aerospace, etc., those who need fire resistance, sealing, heat conduction and environmental protection can benefit from the characteristics of expanded graphite. Therefore, expanded graphite is a treasure among materials, and its uses are almost infinite.
    Research & Development
    Research and development are the key to innovation in governance. Expanded graphite is a wonderful use of graphite. Because of its special chemical treatment, when heated, the volume increases rapidly, and the profit is like a bead. It is widely used in many fields of flame retardancy and sealing. The ancients said: "The knowledge is based on the poor principle, and the use of the object is based on the use." Today's technicians analyze its structure and test its performance, or impregnate it with new drugs to make the expansion temperature adjustable, or use compound improvements to enhance its flame retardant effect. Day and night, the experiment is repeated, and the product is finally more and more perfect. As a result, expanded graphite is not only resistant to high temperature and corrosion, but also more green and environmentally friendly, and conforms to the trend of new material development. Today's industry brings out new ones, but only keep improving, and few are among the top in the world.
    Toxicity Research
    Expanded graphite, which is chemically disposed of by natural graphite and embedded with oxidizing drugs, suddenly expands into a worm-like shape at high temperature. It is used in fire protection and fireproof building materials, especially the world's most important. However, to explore its toxicity, because sulfuric acid, nitric acid and expansion agents are often used in processing, which may contain trace harmful residues. If burned at high temperature, it may precipitate sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and other gases, and if inhaled too much, it is easy to cause dyspnea, throat irritation, and long-term damage to lung gas. And expanded graphite itself is non-volatile, but its fine particles escape from the air. If inhaled, it can also adhere to the lungs. If accumulated for a long time, there is a risk of chronic irritation. However, its toxicity is lighter than asbestos, and the protection is proper, which is not very harmful. According to many tests, expanded graphite has not been found to cause distortion or carcinogenesis. When it is suitable for production and application, strictly adhere to the process and avoid evading protection, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
    Future Prospects
    In recent years, the use of graphite has been expanded, and science and technology have become increasingly advanced. Expanding graphite, which is both thermally conductive and flame retardant, has high strength and light weight, and is used in fire-resistant building materials, energy storage, environmental protection and many other fields. With the development of new energy and the rise of green concepts, human demand is increasing day by day, and the prospect of expanding the graphite market is limitless. Technology changes, particle size is controllable, purity is gradually increasing, its performance is getting better, and the process is becoming more and more perfect. In order to replace traditional flame retardants, reduce pollution, maintain ecology, and conform to low-carbon methods. Looking to the future, expand graphite or fuse new materials to broaden their use in emerging industries such as smart equipment, aerospace, and big data storage. If we can improve our skills and increase our production capacity, it will surely drive the transformation of the industry, lead the
    Where to Buy Expandable Graphite in China?
    As a trusted Expandable Graphite manufacturer, we deliver: Factory-Direct Value: Competitive pricing with no middleman markups, tailored for bulk orders and project-scale requirements. Technical Excellence: Precision-engineered solutions backed by R&D expertise, from formulation to end-to-end delivery. Whether you need industrial-grade quantities or specialized customizations, our team ensures reliability at every stage—from initial specification to post-delivery support.
    Frequently Asked Questions

    As a leading Expandable Graphite supplier, we deliver high-quality products across diverse grades to meet evolving needs, empowering global customers with safe, efficient, and compliant chemical solutions.

    What are the Expandable Graphite Applications?
    Expandable Graphite . It is chemically treated with high-purity graphite and incorporates several intercalation compounds. When exposed to high temperature, it expands and its volume increases sharply to form worm-like graphite. Its physical and chemical properties are unique, so it shows great strengths in many fields. The great use of expanded graphite is first in fire retardant. Because it expands in case of fire, it generates a dense thermal insulation layer, which effectively cuts off the contact between the fire source and the coating, and is widely used in flame retardant materials in construction, transportation, electronics and other industries. For example, it can be made into flame retardant panels, fire-resistant doors and windows, sealing inserts, flame retardant paints, etc., which can greatly improve safety performance. Secondly, its excellent sealing property makes it suitable for high-temperature sealing materials, such as gaskets, sealing rings, etc., which are commonly used in sealing systems of petroleum, chemical, and electric power equipment. It withstands high temperature, high pressure, and corrosion to ensure the stable operation of machinery and equipment. And its good electrical and thermal conductivity is used to prepare conductive materials, such as conductive rubber, conductive coatings, radiator substrates, and battery plates. Based on expanded graphite, graphite paper and graphite foil are prepared, which are widely used in high-tech fields such as electronic shielding, heat sinks, and fuel cells. Furthermore, expanded graphite can also adsorb organic matter and heavy metal ions for environmental treatment and wastewater purification. Its adsorption capacity is large and its efficiency is high. It is often used as an emergency material for oil leakage or a heavy metal trap in wastewater. Material modification is also helpful. Doping expanded graphite into rubber, plastics or cement can significantly improve the flame retardancy, heat resistance and mechanical properties of the product. In the fields of chemical catalysis and electrode materials, expanded graphite also plays its structural and surface area advantages, and is used for electrode materials of catalyst carriers and super capacitors. Like the above, expanded graphite serves many aspects such as fire protection, sealing, conductivity, heat dissipation, environmental protection and polymer modification with its unique properties. Technological progress, application is more extensive, and the prospect can be expected.
    What is the Expandable Graphite Expansion Rate?
    Expanded graphite is based on natural graphite. After specific chemical treatment, it is doped with oxidants and expansion agents such as sulfuric acid and nitric acid, so that the graphite layers react and give it the ability to expand. Every time there is a high temperature, usually between 200 degrees and 300 degrees, the gas trapped in it violently escapes, causing sharp separation between the layers, the sheet stretches, and the volume increases. Examining its expansion ratio, today based on the volume change, the expansion ratio of common expanded graphite is about 80 times to 300 times. Or with excellent craftsmanship, the expansion ratio can exceed 300. However, depending on the purity of the raw material, the particle size, the type and concentration of the impregnating agent, and the heating rate, there are also high and low points. Expanded graphite is initially flaky, and after being heated, it turns into worm-like clusters. It has black and gray color, pore hyperplasia, light and loose weight, and is resistant to high temperature and has excellent heat insulation. Its expansion ratio is directly related to its application in fire protection, sealing, adsorption and metallurgy. The higher the expansion ratio, the looser the material, and the better the filling and heat insulation properties; if the expansion is insufficient, the shape is not full and the use is limited. Today's laboratories often measure its ratio by standard methods, quantitatively place graphite in a high-temperature furnace, heat it instantly, and collect the expansion product. Measure its volume to compare it with the original volume to obtain its expansion ratio. For high-quality expanded graphite, the expansion ratio is often greater than one hundred and fifty times, and the few are not less than fifty times. However, the expansion ratio is too high, and the mechanical strength is inferior, so it must be selected according to the use. is based on the expansion ratio of expanded graphite, which is between 50 and 300 times, which is caused by the actual economic use and process conditions. To know the details, it is recommended to refer to the chemical classics and experimental data to accurately demonstrate its ability.
    How Does Expandable Graphite Resist Flame?
    Expandable Graphite, graphite through a special chemical treatment, so that the interlayer embedded in acidic compounds, fire will expand like a worm, the volume increased by dozens of times. Its flame retardant mechanism, covering several ends. At the beginning of the fire, graphite is sensitive to heat, rapid heat generation, the internal salt into gas, expansion of graphite sheets, curling and staggered, into a porous expansion body. It is time to isolate oxygen and prevent the spread of fire. Its surface is a strong carbon layer, blocking the heat source, and the substrate under it is sheltered and not easy to burn. Furthermore, the expansion of graphite at the combustion interface forms a protective barrier to prevent the escape of flammable gases, or to prevent the penetration of heat. This carbon layer is dense in texture and difficult to conduct heat. Under the flame, the material does not transfer heat and is difficult to burn. And graphite expands, releasing harmless gases, does not increase harmful smoke, and the environment is safe. Expanded graphite can still be shared with other flame retardants, and the synergy effect is obvious. For example, mixed with phosphorus and nitrogen flame retardants, it can not only suppress smoke, but also improve the decomposition temperature, making the material structure firmer. And the expanded layer can withstand high temperature and is not easy to break. Due to its stable structure, excellent heat resistance and long-lasting fire resistance, it is widely used in polymers, plastics, rubber and many other fields. The rate of expanded graphite is closely related to the grade, and the particle size is suitable, so the expansion is more efficient and the barrier effect is more consistent. Most importantly, Expandable Graphite has become an excellent flame retardant material today due to thermal expansion, oxygen isolation, generation of carbonaceous barriers, and suppression of heat and gas transmission. It is not only for fire extinguishing, but also can delay the fire, protect the main material, and reduce losses. With today's advanced technology, its expansion efficiency is becoming more and more excellent, and its position in the field of flame retardancy is becoming more and more important.
    What are the storage and transportation considerations for Expandable Graphite?
    Expandable Graphite which is flammable and has expansion characteristics. Storage and transportation should be especially cautious. For storage, choose a ventilated and dry place, and avoid moisture to prevent graphite from absorbing moisture and agglomerating and causing character variation. The container should be sealed and should not be in direct contact with air. In case of high temperature or flame, it is easy to cause spontaneous expansion and combustion, so the storage temperature must be constant and not too high. During handling, it should be handled with care to avoid severe vibration and friction, which will cause damage to its surface. Do not mix with flammable, strong oxidants, and acids to avoid chemical reactions. Packaging materials should be flame retardant and firm to prevent them from spilling and losing. The outside of the container must be clearly marked, indicating that it is expanded graphite, warning that the fire source is far away to prevent accidental contact. The means of transportation should be well ventilated to prevent high temperature exposure to the sun, and the loading should be strictly layered up and down, and away from the open flame of the heat source. During the transportation process, rain-proof facilities must be made to strictly prevent moisture, because it is easy to exacerbate its spontaneous expansion after moisture. It should not be packaged and transported with food and feed to avoid cross-contamination. In the event of damage and leakage, it is advisable to use clean non-spark equipment to collect the residual material and dispose of it centrally. Operators should wear protective equipment such as labor protection gloves and masks to prevent inhalation of dust and harm to body and mind. Emergency treatment should also prepare fire extinguishing equipment, such as dry powder, sand, etc. In case of fire, it is not suitable to spray with water. Due to the intense chemical reaction that is easy to support combustion, it is better to use dry chemical fire extinguishing agent. For long-term storage, it is advisable to regularly inspect the warehouse to prevent insects and rats from biting and packaging, and timely remediation of hidden dangers. In short, the storage and transportation of expanded graphite is essential to prevent moisture and fire, separate foreign objects, ventilate and seal, and identify clearly. Operation must follow the norms to be foolproof.
    What are the common packaging forms of Expandable Graphite?
    For expanded graphite, graphite is treated by chemical or physical methods, so that a certain substance is inserted between the layers, which can expand rapidly when heated, surge in volume, and have unique properties. It is widely used in metallurgy, sealing, fire protection and many other fields. Its commodity circulation must be determined according to the use and convenience of the packaging method. Because graphite expanded powder is delicate, easy to absorb moisture, and has high flammability, transportation and storage need to be cautious, so the packaging form is also similar. Common packaging includes woven bags, paper drums, composite bags, and ton bags. Woven bags are interwoven with polypropylene silk and covered with plastic film, which is strong and moisture-proof. They are often packaged in small packages of fifty kilograms and twenty-five kilograms. The weaving method is light and tough, suitable for short-distance circulation, but the moisture-proof performance is slightly inferior. For paper barrels, thick cardboard is supplemented by a metal ring bundle mouth, and the outer cover is sealed with a sealing film. The capacity is mostly 25 to 50 kilograms. Each barrel is airtight, waterproof and dustproof, and suitable for export transportation of high-quality expanded graphite. Composite bags are made of plastic and aluminum foil, which are both soft and sealed, corrosion-resistant, and water vapor-proof. They are especially suitable for shipping by sea. Tonne bags, also known as flexible container bags, have a capacity of up to 500 kilograms or even one ton per bag. They are used for large-scale shipments. They are lifted and unloaded by lifting tools. They are simple and efficient. They are often used for the entry and exit of bulk raw materials in factories. In addition to packaging, there are also lined plastic bags to isolate moisture, and sometimes double-layer packages to enhance the protective function. Labels indicate specifications, batch numbers, net weight and the name of the manufacturer for easy verification and circulation. Or seal and add tray, it is especially convenient to open the box for acceptance. It should be protected from exposure to sun, rain and violent collision during transportation to ensure that its properties remain unchanged. To sum up, expanded graphite packaging is divided according to its quality characteristics and uses, but safety, sealing, moisture-proof and dust-proof are the first priorities. Circulation in the world, smooth trade, and packaging are the key.