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Graphite is a form of carbon, that is silvery black in colour. Graphite is one of the predominant materials used as solid lubricant. The lamellar structure of graphite (the nature to flake), in the form of dry powder, makes it ideal to decrease friction. Graphite may also serve as a liquid based lubricant. The lubrication film provides resistance to wear and tear and also seizure resistance.

As a dry lubricant, the powdered graphite reacts with vapour and the molecular bonding does not occur, leaving it dry and slippery. However, it doesn't bond well with the surface and therefore keeps falling off, increasing the need to be applied often. Solid graphite lubricant is tolerant to temps of about 900 degree F. Higher temperatures than this leads to oxidation of graphite.

The liquid graphite lubricant is of various kinds. The graphite grease is produced to attach to the surface, where the grease will prevent the graphite from falling off the work surface. An additional combination of graphite lubricants with liquid base is such that the liquid will evaporate when the mixture is painted on the surface, leaving the graphite to work to reduce friction.

As a dry lubricant, graphite might be utilised in certain situations where wet lubricants may cause danger as in electric fittings or when lubricating substances like wood. Moreover, graphite grease can tolerate more heat than natural grease or other lubricants.

Graphite could be used as an additive in lubricating oil to raise the thermal tolerance. They are also used as components of polymer based composite anti-friction coatings and form the second phase particles of metal based compound anti-friction coatings. They're used as molds for continuous casting and solid lubricant in metal forming.

Graphite is also used in continuous casting molds. The molds are forged from iso-statically pressed graphite. The low friction among the mold surface and solidifying metal guarantees smooth extraction of the casting. The crystal structure of graphite provides low friction without the needs of extra lubrication.

Graphite is characterised as organic and artificial. Natural graphite comes from mining. The refined graphite is consists of carbon, sulfur, SiO2 and Ash. The crystallizing quality of graphite is determined by the greater content of carbon, and better the lubricity and resistance to oxidation. Artificial graphite is sintered from high temperature and has extremely high carbon content of up to 99.5-99.9%, and is thus very good as a lubricant.

While the conventional auto oils can not withstand the high temperatures, graphite can serve as lubricants in automotive engines which reach temps as high as 1,250 degree F. The commercially available graphite lubricant is a colloidal dispersion of billions and billions of microscopic particles of graphite. When this is placed in the crankcase of an engine, it works with the motor oil to reduce friction. It also penetrates efficiently into areas where oil can't reach, keeps oil from thickening, improves compression and aids energy consumption and fuel economy.