Graphite

Graphite is a basic industrial item in Mindustry used as a component for construction, manufacturing, and certain munitions. It appears on multiple maps and is produced by a variety of presses and generators. In gameplay it functions as both a crafting ingredient for advanced buildings and as ammunition for specific unit weapons. Graphite is a common mid-tier material that bridges raw carbon/coal processing with higher-end alloys and chemical products.

Graphite production and processing differ by map. On Serpulo, Graphite is produced by the Graphite Press, Multi Press, Separator, and Disassembler, and it is an ingredient for machines such as the Additive Reconstructor. On Erekir, Graphite is produced by Evoke, Incite, Emanate, Plasma Bore, and Large Plasma Bore; Erekir-specific facilities that use Graphite include the Silicon Arc Furnace, Carbide Crucible, Cyanogen Synthesizer, and the Ship Fabricator.

Graphite is used to construct a large number of blocks across both maps. Notable buildings that require Graphite include manufacturing structures (Multi-Press, Kiln, Plastanium Compressor, Melter, Disassembler, Carbide/Slag centrifuges), power generators (Thermal Generator, Steam Generator, Thorium Reactor, Impact Reactor), drills and extractors (Pneumatic Drill, Laser Drill, Water Extractor, Oil Extractor, Impact Drill), conveyors and routers (Plastanium Conveyor, Phase Conveyor, Payload Conveyor, Payload Router, Liquid Router, Liquid Junction, reinforced variants on Erekir), reactors and heat systems (Heat Redirector, Heat Reactor, Pyrolysis Generator), and many air/land units and turrets (Scorch, Hail, Parallax, Swarmer, Salvo, Fuse, Ripple, Spectre, Diffuse, Afflict, Lustre, Scathe, Malign). Graphite is also required for logistics and command structures such as the Command Center, Radar, Message, and reinforced messaging variants.

Graphite serves directly as ammunition for several unit weapons and turrets. On Serpulo it is used as ammo for Duo, Hail, Salvo, Ripple, and Spectre. On Erekir it is used as ammo for the Diffuse weapon.

• Produced by (Serpulo): Graphite Press, Multi Press, Separator, Disassembler.
• Produced by (Erekir): Evoke, Incite, Emanate, Plasma Bore, Large Plasma Bore.
• Used in (Serpulo): Additive Reconstructor and many production, power, transport, and weapon systems (see list above).
• Used in (Erekir): Silicon Arc Furnace, Carbide Crucible, Cyanogen Synthesizer, Ship Fabricator, and numerous reinforced and specialized blocks.
• Used to build: Multi Press, Kiln, Plastanium Compressor, Melter, Disassembler, Carbide/Slag centrifuges, reactors, generators, extractors, conveyors/routers (including reinforced and payload variants), drills, turrets, units, command and logic structures, and ship and mech fabricators depending on the map.
• Used as ammo: Duo, Hail, Salvo, Ripple, Spectre (Serpulo); Diffuse (Erekir).

In real life, graphite is a crystalline form of carbon with atoms arranged in hexagonal sheets; it is valued for electrical conductivity, chemical inertness, and low friction. Elements that exist in different structural arrangements are called allotropes. Coal is typically an amorphous form of carbon with some crystalline inclusions and impurities.