Graphite. Macrophotograph of a specimen of graphite,a form of carbon that occurs naturally close to the Earth's surface. It is formed by stacked graphene sheets. Graphite is a soft,steel-gray to black,hexagonally crystallized allotrope of carbon with a metallic luster and a greasy feel,used in lead pencils,lubricants,paints,and coatings,that is fabricated into a variety of forms such as molds,bricks,electrodes,crucibles,and rocket nozzles. Also called black lead,plumbago.This specimen is from Sri Lanka and shows a detail of 13mm across |