Editing Graphite (section)

===Steelmaking===
Natural graphite in [[steelmaking]] mostly goes into raising the carbon content in molten steel; it can also serve to lubricate the dies used to extrude hot steel. Carbon additives face competitive pricing from alternatives such as synthetic graphite powder, petroleum coke, and other forms of carbon. A carbon raiser is added to increase the carbon content of the steel to a specified level. An estimate based on [[USGS]]'s graphite consumption statistics indicates that [[steelmaker]]s in the US used 10,500 tonnes in this fashion in 2005.<ref name=usgs/>