Graphite Coatings Market

Market Overview

The global graphite coatings market size was valued at USD 669.22 million in 2021. It is expected to reach USD 1,240.68 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period (2022–2030).

There are a variety of coating strategies utilized to modify the properties of Graphite. These strategies include impregnating pyrolytic carbon, SiC, PTFE, methacrylate resin, and antimony. Graphite coating provides several benefits, including resistance to corrosion, temperature management, and clearance control to abradable and abrasive materials.

A graphite coating treated with a PTFE compound offers the elimination of porosity and increased resistance to acids. This treatment does not compromise the thermal properties of the coating. Increasing the amount of methacrylate resin added to the graphite coating can improve its capacity to seal while increasing the amount of antimony can enhance its resistance to wear. Graphite coating containing a mixture of pyrolytic carbon has a smooth surface, increased density, strength, and hardness; it also has low porosity, making it permeable to fluids and gases.

Graphite coating is a versatile material used in a wide range of applications, requiring temperatures as high as 3000 degrees Celsius. Graphite coatings are used more frequently in manufacturing rubber, paints, coatings, and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). In addition, it finds use in various applications, including heat sinks for LED, electronic prints, power cables, brake pads, and heat exchangers. Graphite coating in the form of spray has found widespread use in applications that previously relied on the application of grease material, such as the lubrication of metals, plastics, and rubber products. Graphite coating can also be used for the sealing of rigid graphite insulations. It is anticipated that scarring of the lungs will result from prolonged exposure to graphite coating and inhalation of graphite coating.

Market Dynamics

Market Driving Factors

Growing Demand for Graphite Coating in Developing Economies

The demand for heavy transport vehicles is experiencing a significant uptick across various developing economies, including China, India, and others. These automobiles feature a high-tech lubrication braking system capable of withstanding the load capacity even when the brakes are under extreme stress. The graphite coating is utilized extensively in the production of clutch and brake linings for heavy transport vehicles. This is done to improve the effectiveness of braking while simultaneously lowering the level of braking noise. It is anticipated that this will contribute significantly to the expansion of the graphite coating market in developing economies. In addition, natural amorphous Graphite is an excellent coating for lubrication systems, and it is used for this purpose. As a result, the global graphite coating market's key players, such as Asbury Carbons and CONDAT Corporation, will be forced to become more linear in their approach to producing graphite coatings.

Growing Preference for Graphite Coating over Ceramic Coating

Ceramic coatings had a wide range of applications before the development of graphite coating, including coatings, sealants, waxes, and spray coatings over metals, U.V. reflectors, electrical conductors, and other materials. These are used to protect the outer surface of metallic and non-metallic parts, as well as to give those surfaces the appearance of having more detail. However, following the introduction of graphite coating to the market, the demand for ceramic coating on a global scale began to experience a decline. The graphite coating, based on carbon, creates a high level of intermolecular stress between the surfaces. 

Market Restraining Factors

Challenges Faced by the Escalating Trade Tensions

The United States and China have seen increased tension in their trade relationship, particularly concerning the importance of their commercial ties during the pandemic. Additionally, several additional nations, including India, Japan, Taiwan, and others, have raised their tariffs on goods imported from China, which is the world's largest producer of Graphite. This is expected to lead to an expansion of the graphite coating market in China. This will likely act as a barrier to market expansion during the forecast period.

Market Opportunities

Combination of Increased Thermal Resistance and Improved Electrical Conductivity

Developed and developing economies, such as the United States, Australia, China, and India, are experiencing significant growth in their aviation and aircraft industries. This growth is fueling considerable expansion in the aviation and aircraft sectors. Because of their exceptionally high thermal resistance and enhanced electrical conductivity properties, high-temperature graphite coating materials have become increasingly in demand due to the modernization of jets and fighter aircraft. In addition, a coating made of high-purity Graphite is applied to the metallic components of aircraft to serve as a paint protection layer. It is anticipated that the forthcoming space and aviation-related expansion projects, including TechEdsat, Omni Role Combat Aircraft (ORCA), HAL-DRDO Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), and others, will generate lucrative opportunities for the expansion of the global graphite coating market in the foreseeable future.

Regional Analysis

The global graphite coatings market has been studied across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. 

Asia-Pacific is the highest contributor to the graphite coatings market and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.1% during the forecast period. The production of steel, consumer electronics, and the automotive industry are the primary factors driving the graphite coating market in the Asia-Pacific region. This is due to the nearly maximum contribution of graphite coating products in each sector. The growth of the graphite coating market in this region during the forecast period is driven by the increase in the use of graphite coating in the production of coated steel and the increase in the recycling of steel.

The growth of the graphite coating market in Asia-Pacific is primarily driven by the region's largest economies, such as India and China. This can be attributed to the expansion of the steel industry, the electronics market, and the automotive market in the region. Graphite coatings are used in various industries, including electronics, automobiles, and steel. In addition, demand for graphite coating is expected to be fueled during the forecast period by an increase in the number of applications in the electrical industry that involve energy storage and electric vehicles. It is anticipated that the diminishing grades and more demanding environmental conditions in China will hamper supply from that country.

Europe is the second-largest contributor to the global graphite coatings market and is estimated to reach around USD 249.96 million at a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period. In the coming years, the expansion of the market is anticipated to be driven by an increase in the demand for graphite coating, which can be used to lubricate metal, plastic, or rubber parts without the application of grease. In addition, graphite coating is utilized on a wide variety of materials, including steel, aluminum, cable, plastic, automotive parts, display & sensors, and others; the expansion of the market is anticipated to be primarily driven by this factor throughout the upcoming period. Additionally, there has been a surge in demand for electric vehicles in this region, which has led to the rise in the production of lithium-ion batteries. This has led to an increase in the graphite coating market in this region.

China is the primary supplier of Graphite to the European market. Graphite is used in the production of graphene. Carbone Savoie, based in France, and SGL Carbon, based in Germany, are the only European companies to have taken on the challenge of producing Graphite to increase battery autonomy in this region. To compete with Chinese companies, European companies must significantly invest in graphite production throughout the forecast period. This will allow them to meet the demand for graphite coating throughout the period under consideration.

Segmental Analysis

The global market for graphite coatings has been divided into application and end-user.

By Application

Based on the application, the global graphite coatings market has been categorized into lubrication, anti-seize, and release agents.

The lubrication segment is the highest contributor to the market and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.4% during the forecast period. Lubrication based on graphite coating is an efficient method for reducing friction, wear, and compressibility in the automotive industry and enhancing the smooth movement of moving parts. The use of lubrication in sectors such as automotive, space & aviation, railways, and other industries is the primary key market trend in the global market. Other sectors affected include these as well. For example, the graphite-based oils and greases manufactured by CONDAT Corporation, a market leader in the graphite coating-based lubrication industry, have seen an increase in demand among the developed economies of the Asia-Pacific region.

It is suitable for use as a significant lubrication material in the growing automotive sector because it reduces friction, wears compressibility, and enhances surface rollover qualities. Because of this, it is anticipated that the graphite coatings market for lubrication will continue to expand. Additionally, graphite coating lubrication finds widespread application in the aerospace and aviation industries, including in modern military aircraft. For instance, the Omni Role Combat Aircraft (ORCA), the HAL-DRDO Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), and other aircraft such as these are anticipated to generate lucrative opportunities for the graphite coatings market for lubrication.

The second-largest segment is the anti-seize agent and is expected to grow by 2030 at a CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period. Anti-seize agents based on graphite coatings provide excellent properties for heavy-duty mechanical parts, including resistance to corrosion, thermal expansion, glazing, and seizing. The use of anti-seize agents in industries such as metallurgy, mechanical automobile parts, construction, maintenance, and others is the primary key market trend in the global market. Other sectors affected by this trend include: For example, the demand for the high-quality anti-seize compound Cop-GrafTM, which is made up of copper and graphite coatings, has been on the rise recently in the automotive industry. It is suitable for nuts, bolts, flanges, and other metallurgical parts in the growing automotive sectors because of its resistance to high temperatures (up to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit), extreme pressure loads, moisture, and corrosion. These characteristics make it possible for the material to be used. As a result, it is anticipated that the global graphite coatings market for anti-seize agents will experience accelerated growth. In addition, graphite coatings that are based on anti-seize agents are widely used in metallic concrete supports and plates to resist the thermal expansion, corrosion, glazing, and seizing properties of metallic concrete.

By End User

Based on the end user, the global graphite coatings market has been categorized into automotive, displays and sensors, and metal coatings.

The automotive segment is the most dominant and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.4% during the forecast period. The production of fuel cells has seen significant technological advancements in recent years, which has led to an increase in both their efficiency and their range. Graphite is applied as a coating layer on bipolar plates, which are utilized in the fuel cells of electric vehicles to accomplish this goal. For instance, the Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology IWS, the German automotive group Daimler, and the Finnish steel company Outokumpu Nirosta have developed a cost-effective and scalable method for the mass production of bipolar plates. The use of bipolar plates coated with a skinny layer of graphite results in a significant reduction in the cost of production and contributes to the development of vehicles that are less harmful to the environment. Using graphite coating on components like the piston and gear helps to reduce friction and helps to prevent cylinder bores from becoming scratched. Under harsh environmental conditions or when the engine is started from cold, coupling elements used in the engine parts tend to fail.

The metal coatings segment is the second-largest and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.7% during the forecast period. The most critical market trend taking place on a global scale is the creation of new technologies for the coating of graphite on steel. As a result of its adaptability, the graphite suspension method has become the most popular choice for coating graphite on low-friction stainless steel. This method allows the deposition of 2-12 volume percentages of graphite on stainless steel, extending the material's shelf life. It is anticipated that these factors will contribute to expanding the graphite coatings market worldwide.

Recent Developments

• Feb 2022, MERSEN IN THE SEMICONDUCTOR MARKET