Low-temperature graphitization of cokes and binder-filler artifacts

Abstract

A series of metal-doped cokes or compacts was prepared with aluminum or titanium and heat treated at 1700–2300°C. Aluminum-doped cokes and compacts readily converted to graphite at 2300°C. The percentage of graphitic structure produced exceeded the original aluminum content by a factor of from 3 to 13 depending on the original metal content in the baked material. When carbon structure is converted to graphite, the Al 4C 3 evolves from the material. Graphite compacts fabricated with aluminum were highly crystalline but had low bulk densities due to the evolution of the aluminum during heat treatment. Titanium was not as effective in converting disordered carbon to graphite below 2300°C. When aluminum and titanium were present together, the conversion to graphite was more complete than when aluminum alone was used.