Abstract: Cathodes for aluminum electrolysis cells are formed of cathode blocks and current collector bars attached to those blocks. The cathode slots receiving the collector bar are lined with expanded graphite lining thus providing longer useful lifetime of such cathodes and increased cell productivity. The expanded graphite provides a good electrical and thermal conductivity especially with its plane layer.

Abstract: Graphite films are provided with a metal coating of at most 100 nm thick and are produced, for example by a continuous vapor deposition process on graphite film. In spite of the small thickness of the metal layer, the graphite films can be connected to one another or to other components of metal or metal-coated materials by soldering. Furthermore, the thin metal coating protects the surface of the graphite film against particles breaking out or peeling or flaking off.

Abstract: Expansion joints located in the upper part of the hearth walls of a reduction furnace are filled with a plate-shaped compressible graphite filler having a density of 0.1 to 0.2 g/cm3. A method of manufacturing such a joint filler is also provided.

Abstract: A latent heat storage device including a vessel, a phase change material disposed within the vessel, at least one heat exchange interface in contact with the phase change material, at least one sheet of graphite foil which extends within the bulk of the phase change material.

Abstract: A latent heat storage material is in the form of a composite material formed of a phase-change material to store latent heat and graphite flakes incorporated therein to improve thermal conductivity. The graphite flakes are distinguished by a high aspect ratio and a high anisotropy of thermal conductivity. The volume content of graphite flakes in the latent heat storage material is between 10 and 40%. The composite material can be obtained by mixing the components or infiltrating a bed containing graphite flakes with a liquid phase-change material. The graphite flakes are preferably aligned during mixing with the phase-change material by shaking or tamping, etc., so that the thermal conductivity in the direction that is advantageous for the individual application is maximized. A latent heat storage unit containing the material and processes for producing the material and the unit and processes for using the material, are also provided.

Abstract: A flat gasket for flange connections has a leakage rate below the limit value of 1*10−5 kPa*1/(s*m). The gasket assembly has a thick, areal, pressure-resistant core formed from at least one layer of graphite foil with a base weight of at most 1500 g/m2, or a multilayer sandwich of such graphite foils and metal interlayers. The core is embedded between two metal foils, and the surfaces that are remote from the core are covered by covering layers of graphite foil with a base weight of at most 350 g/m2. A ratio of the base weight of the graphite foil of the covering layers to the base weight of the graphite foil of the core lies between 1:3 and 1:7.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced composite ceramic has a matrix containing SiC and/or Si with a density of greater than 2.5 g/cm3 and an elongation at break of more than 0.3%. A method for fabricating the composite ceramic includes producing a blend containing carbon fibers, carbonizable bonding resin and additional carbon material which has a raw density in a range between 0.7 and 1.8 g/cm3, pressing the blend into a fiber-reinforced green body, carbonizing the green body in order to produce a C/C body, and infiltrating the C/C body with a silicon melt. The fabricated composite ceramic is used as a lining material or armor plating, or for producing reflective surfaces.

Abstract: A mixture for heat storage devices has a phase change material and particulate expanded graphite. The material mixtures are produced by mixing phase change material and expanded graphite as powders or in molten form, and shaping the mixtures into shaped bodies.

Abstract: Bodies made of expanded graphite are impregnated with low-viscosity, solvent-free, storage-stable, polymerizing acrylic resins up to resin contents of 50% by weight. A primary product made of expanded graphite has an open pore system, with a particularly preferred range of bulk densities of from 0.5 to 1.3 g/cm3 and with an ash value of not more than 4% by weight. Such bodies can also contain a proportion of additives. The impregnated, shaped and rapidly curable graphite bodies are employed as sealing elements, as components in fuel cells or as heat-conducting elements. A process for producing the bodies is also provided.

Abstract: Bodies made of expanded graphite are impregnated with low-viscosity, solvent-free, storage-stable, polymerizing resins from the group of isocyanates and their co-reactants and/or epoxy resins up to resin contents of 50% by weight. A primary product is made of expanded graphite with an open pore system, with a particularly preferred range of bulk densities of from 0.5 to 1.3 g/cm3 and with an ash value of not more than 4% by weight. Such bodies can also contain a proportion of additives. Sealing elements, components in fuel cells and heat-conducting elements are formed of the impregnated, shaped and rapidly curable graphite bodies. A process for producing such bodies is also provided.

Abstract: A flat semi-finished product includes a filled fluoroplastics substrate in the form of a sheet, which is coated at least partially on at least one surface with a soft, thin coating of fluoroplastics. The substrate material of the sheet has a Shore-D hardness of at least 65 and the average layer thickness of the thin sheet coating is at most 20 &mgr;m. A component, in particular a flat gasket, is made from the semi-finished product. A process for the production thereof is also provided.

Abstract: A method for producing expandable graphite intercalation compounds uses a thermal polyphosphoric acid which is added to an intercalation agent or to graphite. Preferably, the thermal polyphosphoric acid is used in a mixture with red, fuming nitric acid. Products produced from the graphite intercalation compounds through the expanded graphite stage, such as graphite foils, graphite laminates or graphite seals, have a comparatively high fluid tightness, are relatively resistant to oxidative attack, and can have comparatively high strengths. A further advantage is a good handling ability of the thermal polyphosphoric acids. A graphite foil is also provided.