Custom Carbon & Graphite Machining

07 Sep

Beyond Lithium Ion Batteries--Dangers to Graphite in High Heat Environments

Synthetic graphite is a carbon material that is manufactured through the high-temperature treatment of carbon precursors, often petroleum-based materials or coal tar pitch. It is used as the anode material in lithium ion batteries, as crucibles in foundries, and many other applications in between. Synthetic graphite oxidation refers to the process by which synthetic graphite materials react with oxygen in the presence of heat, such as when graphite is used in the steelmaking process. Oxidation leads to the formation of various oxidation products which can degrade properties of graphite that make it such an attractive material in the first place....

31 Jul

Graphite in Heat Treat Furnaces

Graphite in Heat Treat Furnaces Graphite is commonly used in heat treat furnaces because of its high temperature resistance and chemical inertness. Semco has long worked with companies in the heat treatment industry to provide reliable custom graphite components for their heat treat furnaces. Below we will explain what heat treatment is, why graphite’s properties like chemical inertness and high temperature resistance make it ideal for use in this industry, and why Semco is such a trusted name in the heat treat furnace industry. What is Heat Treatment? Heat treatment covers a wide variety of processes. In each of these...

21 Jul

Recycling Graphite Waste into Usable Graphite Material

Recycling Graphite Graphite is in high demand these days. Its electrochemical properties make it a coveted material in the booming renewable energy and battery sectors, for instance. Companies like Semco are ensuring that graphite waste is not wasted, but rather recycled into new graphite material. We have written about this topic before, notable in this article about graphite found in an Iowa cornfield that we helped a farmer recycle. We have in other blogs described the importance of graphite recycling and some of our recycling services. During the pandemic, when supply lines were strained and graphite from China was harder...

14 Jul

Graphite Use in Precious Metals Processing

Graphite and Precious Metals Graphite plays an essential role in the processing of precious metals, particularly in refining, alloying, and purification processes. Although creating graphite molds for gold ingots or jewelry production doesn’t make up the bulk of our business at Semco, we do think the components we machine for the precious metal industry are pretty cool and exciting. Let’s start by going over some ways graphite is used in the processing of precious metals. Graphite Molds and Graphite Crucibles Graphite molds and graphite crucibles are widely used in the melting and casting of precious metals. Graphite's high melting point...

28 Jun

Happy Retirement to Dave Myers, Semco Materials Manager

In the midst of a busy season of graphite machining, updating equipment, and beginning new initiatives, it is important to take a moment to bid a fond farewell to a valued employee, Dave Myers. After 13 years working for Semco Carbon as a Materials Manager, Dave Myers retired this past week. His contributions to Semco cannot be overstated. Dave will be especially remembered for how he brought stability and predictability to his department. Dave trained many employees, quite a few who are still with us. His management style empowered the personnel in the department to be better and to work...