Graphites

Graphites, also known as graphite or black lead, is a naturally occurring form of crystalline carbon. It is a soft, grayish-black, opaque mineral that occurs in metamorphic rocks such as marble, gneiss, and schist. Graphite is composed of layers of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal structure, which gives it its unique properties, such as lubricity, thermal and electrical conductivity, and chemical inertness. The term "graphite" comes from the Greek word "graphein," meaning "to write," reflecting its historical use in pencils. In Hebrew, graphite is known as גרפיט (grafit). Other relevant translations include Graphit in German, Graphite in French, and grafito in Spanish and Italian. Graphite has a wide range of industrial applications, including as a lubricant, in the manufacture of pencils, in steelmaking as a reducing agent, and in the production of lithium-ion batteries. Its high thermal and electrical conductivity also makes it valuable in the electronics industry. Additionally, graphite is used in the production of synthetic diamonds and in the nuclear industry as a neutron moderator.