Resistivity of graphite sheets?

[PhiowPhi]

I'm trying to calculate the possible resistance of a graphite sheet that I'm using to coat surfaces of metal conductors, protecting them from wear, welding, and other possible failures. I can't seem to find an accurate value for the Resistivity, some sites state it's 7.8E-06, while others 3 to 60E-05 ρ(ohm m). I'm not certain.

I don't have the material and instruments to measure it either. Do any of you know the approximate value? Or a good reference that cites it?

 

[Kevin McHugh]

Surface resistivity or volume resistivity?

 

[PhiowPhi]

Surface resistivity or volume resistivity?

Current will be flowing throughout the whole volume, and the contact will be on the surfaces.

This diagram is perfect in helping me explain a bit more:

The left diagram is exactly the same configuration of the graphite sheet, where the top/bottom surface is connected to conductive metals, also the current is flowing in that manner.

 

[Shane Gribben]

Depends on the amount of impurities in the graphite sheets.

So if I were you in would assume a number of values to assess the sensitivity of the resistivity of graphite to your work. Then source the best, in terms of purity, material to suit your work

 

[Baluncore]

I'm trying to calculate the possible resistance of a graphite sheet that I'm using to coat surfaces of metal conductors, protecting them from wear, welding, and other possible failures.

It will depend on orientation, structure and fabrication of the sheet. How is it made, or where do you get this graphite sheet ?

 

[Kevin McHugh]

It would seem to me the supplier of the sheet should have this data handy.

 

[Baluncore]

It would seem to me the supplier of the sheet should have this data handy.

Maybe the OP has not realized that graphite is a sheet material at the molecular level and so will have anisotropic resistance.

The conductivity will depend on the orientation and contacts between individual molecular sheet particles within the bulk fabric. If the material is flexible then it is certainly NOT 100% solid graphite. We have no idea if the sheets being used are a thick fabric or a thin surface dusting.

If air and circuit inductance are present then I would be surprised if an arc would not start and burn some graphite. That would produce an explosion of combustion products that might contaminate the surface of nearby insulators with a destructive conductive coating.

 

[PhiowPhi]

@Baluncore A potential product is https://www.graphitestore.com/itemDetails.asp?item_id=1736&prd_id=40&cat_id=24&curPage=1, at a smaller area, and indeed it is flexible the manufacture states:

Pure graphite sheet made from exfoliated graphite flake and is produced through an extensive calendaring process to give a thin flexible foil with no binder or resins"

The reason why I'm trying to use graphite sheets over brushes is for a higher current carrying capacity, due to the low thickness(or L) and large area it would allow a higher current capacity, over a graphite&mix brush. From my basic understand of Magnetoresistance, having a strong magnetic field will reduce the resistivity, and since the sheet is perpendicular to a magnetic field I think it does? That helps the main goal. I'm still studying all the aspects related to the use of this sheet, I will contact the supplier for further data. Also, using the sheet in this manner.

My major concern is calculating the pressure between the contact surfaces for a complete conductive path(0 gaps) and from that the wear the sheets would have. I worry that the sheet would heat up(do due to friction and dissipated power) and begin to wear off, creating an air gap, breaking the circuit. How I can calculate and analyze this before an experiment?

 

[Baluncore]

The cloth has a density of about half that of solid graphite. The cloth will be held together only by weak bonds between sheets. Half of the volume will be air. It will make a good thermal insulator unless the cloth is clamped tight between fixed surfaces. Any movement of a contact against the graphite cloth will rapidly exfoliate flakes from the cloth.

 

[PhiowPhi]

What would be a solution for my case? A thin(or short length) brush for low resistivity?
The pressure between the surfaces when in contact (to complete the circuit) is something I'm trying to figure out, could you help me with that @Baluncore?

 

[Baluncore]

I'm trying to calculate the possible resistance of a graphite sheet that I'm using to coat surfaces of metal conductors, protecting them from wear, welding, and other possible failures.

Unfortunately you have not made it clear whether your application is a brush contact to a rapidly moving surface or a static connection between two fixed conductors. You know what you are thinking, I do not.

The reason why I'm trying to use graphite sheets over brushes is for a higher current carrying capacity,

You have first used the word “brush” there. But is the brush a static contact or clamped gasket, or is it a contact like a commutator or slip ring brush in rotating electrical machinery.

What would be a solution for my case?

What case is that ?

Many small independent brushes will follow a surface better than one large brush.
If there is any contact with a moving surface then pure graphite cloth will have a very short life.
Brush replacement interval is determined by length of the brush and rate of consumption.
If brush resistance is significantly less than the circuit resistance then brush resistance is not a problem.
Higher voltages and lower currents are an alternative to more or bigger brushes.

 

[PhiowPhi]

To explain the set-up simply, there is a copper bar that must transfer current to a moving array of copper bars of equal contact area, similar to a motor's set-up of having a brush connected to the commutator. A diagram:

Where the contact area is empty, and I cannot directly connect the two copper surfaces to avoid welding, and further damages due to the high velocity of the bars. Therefore, the use of thin graphite sheet with low resistivity would help in avoiding various problems related with motion and the friction generated from it(mechanical and electrical problems):

The moving array of copper bars(A to B to C) are moving rapidly, therefore, to avoid wearing and any possible "break" of the circuit, having a graphite sheet in-front of each bar's surface(A,B,C) is a solution?

Predicting the wear is important, so I'd know when the replacement is required so that current flow is constant throughout the change of bars A, to B , to C.
I calculated the resistivity, it is higher than the circuit's load, therefore, adjusted the dimensions of the sheets thinner(reducing L) and increasing the area with respect to the bar's area resulted a lower resistance.

 

[Baluncore]

there is a copper bar that must transfer current to a moving array of copper bars of equal contact area,

If the contact is sliding then any cloth in the gap will be rapidly destroyed and short circuit everything nearby.
What happens while two of the moving conductors are shorted by the fixed bar ?
I really do not have your confidence that graphite cloth is a solution. It needs some bonded graphite block.

, and I cannot directly connect the two copper surfaces to avoid welding, and further damages due to the high velocity of the bars.

Without numbers your plan is too abstract to explain the application.
How high is high velocity?
Is the high velocity a rotation or an oscillatory movement?
How often does the sliding contact repeat, RPM?
What fills the gaps between moving conductors?

What approximate dimensions do these conductors have?
What is the voltage between adjacent moving conductors?
What current is flowing through the contact?

Maybe you should study the materials and construction of a train pantograph.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantograph_(transport)#Weaknesses

 

[PhiowPhi]

If the contact is sliding then any cloth in the gap will be rapidly destroyed and short circuit everything nearby.

The contact is of sliding motion between the fixed bar and the array of bars A through C. At what rate is the cloth rapidly destroyed? How can I start to calculate(or estimate it)? If the cloth(being extremely thin) can withstand the complete motion(or passing) of bar A at full conductivity then I could place a cloth for each bar(A - C) and for the fixed bar per each bar like so:

Could it be possible to constantly lubricate the surfaces with pure graphite powder? Instead of using the sheets.

What happens while two of the moving conductors are shorted by the fixed bar ?

You mean when there is an air-gap in between when the cloth is destroyed? If so, the circuit breaks and the possibility of an electric arc(only at high voltages).

I really do not have your confidence that graphite cloth is a solution. It needs some bonded graphite block.

A graphite block will last for a longer period, and multiple runs without an issue I agree, however, the block is quite high in resistance if my ultimate goal is to coat the surface and have the graphite sheets(or powder if considering a conductive lubricant) to protect the bars from welding, and other mechanical issues created from the high velocity sliding and it's resistance being negligible to the circuit. Using a large block will solve on problem(mechanical) while it creates another(electrical due to high resistance).

Without numbers your plan is too abstract to explain the application.

I agree, I should've asked earlier what variables do we need? I don't know what they are to supply such values.

How high is high velocity?

3 - 5 m/s, if you supplied me with the proper mathematical equations(or process) I could know the maximum and minimum speeds.

Is the high velocity a rotation or an oscillatory movement?

Translational and oscillating.

How often does the sliding contact repeat, RPM?

Constantly, going back and forth from bars A to C then C to A again and so on.

What fills the gaps between moving conductors?

Between bar's A,B,C? Insulators only on the top and bottom sides. The ends coated with graphite.

What approximate dimensions do these conductors have?

0.10m H x 0.10m W x 0.05m T per bar.

What is the voltage between adjacent moving conductors?
What current is flowing through the contact?

I = 100A
V = 3.67 x 10 ^-5


Thank you for the help @Baluncore , I'll take a look at that link.

 

[Baluncore]

What happens while two of the moving conductors are shorted by the fixed bar ?

You mean when there is an air-gap in between when the cloth is destroyed? If so, the circuit breaks and the possibility of an electric arc(only at high voltages).

No. I mean as the fixed bar is half way between A and B it is shorting A and B to each other.

What is the voltage between adjacent moving conductors?

V = 3.67 x 10 ^-5

That is only 36.7 microvolts. Is that the voltage drop across the sliding contact, or the voltage between A and B and between B and C.

You need to draw a circuit that shows what everything is connected to, and the full path taken by all currents.
I can only guess that the device is a component for an over-unity or perpetual motion machine.
You need to specify clearly why you are designing this. What is the application?