Graphitization is an industrial process in which carbon is converted to graphite. This is the microstructural change that occurs in carbon or low-alloy steels that are exposed to temperatures between 425 and 550 degrees Celsius for long periods of time, for example one thousand hours. It's a kind of embrittlement. Graphite electrode is electric furnace steelmaking, environmental protection. For example, the microstructure of carbon-molybdenum steel usually contains pearlite (a mixture of ferrite and cementite). When this material is graphitized, it causes the pearlite to decompose into ferrite and randomly dispersed graphite. This leads to embrittlement of the steel and a moderate reduction in strength when these graphite particles are randomly distributed throughout the matrix. However, we can prevent graphitization by using materials with higher resistance that are less obvious to graphitization. In addition, we can modify the environment (for example, by increasing pH or reducing chloride content). There is another way to prevent graphitization that involves the use of a coating. Cathodic protection of cast iron.

2. What is carbonization?

Carbonization is an industrial process in which organic matter is converted to carbon. The objects we are considering here include plants and dead animals. This process occurs through destructive distillation. This is a pyrolytic reaction, which is considered a complex process in which many simultaneous chemical reactions can be observed. For example, dehydrogenation, condensation, hydrogen transfer and isomerization. The carbonization process is different from the carbonization process because carbonization is a much faster process because it reacts many orders of magnitude faster. Usually, the amount of heat applied controls the degree of carbonization and the amount of residual foreign elements. For example, at 1200K, the carbon content of the residue is about 90% by weight, while at 1600K, the carbon content of the residue is about 99% by weight. Typically, carbonization is an exothermic reaction that can be left to sustain itself or used as an energy source that does not form carbon dioxide gas traces. However, if the biological material is exposed to a sudden change in heat (e.g. in a nuclear explosion), the biological material will carbonize as quickly as possible and become solid carbon.

3. What is the difference between graphitization and carbonization?

Graphitization and carbonization are both industrial processes that involve carbon as a reactant or product. But carbonization involves the conversion of organic matter to carbon, while graphitization involves the conversion of carbon to graphite. Thus, carbonization is a chemical change, while graphitization is a microstructural change.