Pictures of graphite as a lubricant?

Answer 1

There is a common belief that graphite's lubricating properties are solely due to the loose interlamellar coupling between sheets in the structure. However, it has been shown that in a vacuum environment (such as in technologies for use in space), graphite is a very poor lubricant. This observation led to the discovery that the lubrication is due to the presence of fluids between the layers, such as air and water, which are naturally adsorbed from the environment.

Answer 2

Graphite is an interesting material at the molecular level, because it consists of parallel sheets of carbon atoms, with the carbon atoms in each sheet bonded to each other in aromatic rings (think of a stack of pieces of chicken wire). Each sheet is fairly strong in itself, but the sheets are not covalently bonded to each other and are kept separated by the pi electron clouds, so they "slide" over each other fairly easily; this ability of the sheets to "slide" is what makes graphite a lubricant.

Answer 3

Yes, dry graphite is used for lubrication in many applications.

Answer 4

Graphite only forms 3 covalent bonds and is arranged in layers so the layers can slide over each other easily.

Answer 5

The answer is:

Carbon atoms form strong bonds within each graphite layer but weak bonds between layers.

Hope that answered your question.=)

Answer 6

Graphite is formed from lamellar layers of carbon atoms; the bonds between these layers are of low strength - van der Waals bonds - and the layers easily slide.

Answer 7

cus swag of course

Answer 8

Graphite has a planar structure.