Figure 1.--In the early-20th century the most important source of graphite was Cetlon, modern Sri Lanka. This is a narrow shaft mine in Ceylon at the turn of the 20th century. It was all done by manul labor including child labor. Click on the image for a closer look. There is a description of the mine on the back.

Carbon (C, an6) is a very common element. The most important form of carbon during World War II was graphite, a mineral form of carbon with a range of industrial uses. Graphite is the only non-metal element that is a excellent conductor of electricity. Graphite iss a solid material and thus ckassified asc a 'dry' lubricant. This is makes it useful in a range of applications inn which 'wet'” lubricants, such as oil,cannot be used. Natural graphite is primarily used in refractory applications. This means high intndity heat processes. This demands materials that will not melt or disintegrate under extreme heat. An example is in the crucibles used by the steel industry. These applications were the primasry use of graphite during the War. Of course graphite was alsoused in the process of building nuclear weapons. It is also used to make brake linings, lubricants, and molds in foundries. Before the War there were under ground grasphite mines in America (New York and Pennsylvania) From the point America entered the War (December 1941), grphite was only mined on the surface. Monana mines were important. This proved possible because working weathered rock was relatively easy. After the War mining in America ceased because miners could not compete with Sri Lankan graphite. The principal sources of graphite are today China, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, and Madagascar. During World War II Ceylon (Sri Lanka) was also important as were Germany (Bavaria) and Japanese-controoled Korea. This all meant that unlike many other srategic materials, both the Axis and Allies had ample access. Mining in the British coloby of Ceylon was primitive and ore extraction was slow and cumbersome. The mines were only mechanized after World War II. The same process occurred in the French colony of Madagascar. Madagascar was contriolled by Vich until 1943, but there was no way to ship graphite or anything lse back to France which was in German hands.

Created: 1:47 AM 11/21/2023
Last updated: 3:50 PM 11/21/2023