Graphite is soft, flexible and black. Yet the other form of carbon, diamonds, are much harder and transparent. Graphite tends to stain surfaces that it touches. Although it is a nonmetal with a very high melting temperature, it does have some characteristics of metal. It can conduct electricity just like metals.

Graphite powder is the powder form of graphite. It tends to stain the objects that it lubricates, so it isn’t ideal for household use, because it can make a mess of a home. Graphite powder also tends to cause corrosion in some metals, like steel and aluminum, especially when the metal is submerged in water with the graphite. Henceforth, using graphite powder to lubricate steel and aluminum machines is not a good idea.

Graphite powder is mostly used in the paints, and other similar materials for coatings. The atoms of graphite powder have a tendency to link to each other, like a lattice. These are formed in layers, due to the stacking of atoms on top of each other. Air and water will get trapped in between these layers. This is precisely the reason why graphite powder has lubricating property. And that’s why we say graphite lubricant So powdered graphite, though dry, is used as slurry in the process for oil drilling, in brake linings and carbon batteries, the bottom surface of ships and boats, etc. Industries and manufacturing processes depend heavily on this powder because of its dryness, yet with lubricant properties.

Graphite has an amazing property of standing even hot environment, due to its high melting point. This makes it more useful in certain areas of high temperatures. The widest usage of graphite powder is to be used to make the black lead in pencil. We generally refer to this as lead, but this is not the actual lead metal, but powdered graphite. The mechanism present in a lock and key also uses the powdered form of graphite for lubrication. It also is a favorite among many artists who use this powder to create artwork.

Graphite powder or graphite coating does have some disadvantages. It may not be suitable for certain metals as it may cause corrosion. It may also cause stains on the object which is lubricated with graphite powder. Though certain areas of production have banned the use of graphite powder, the many uses still make this element valuable in most of the industries.