374. In addition, the heat spreading capabilities of sheets of compressed particles of exfoliated graphite has also been recognized. Indeed, such materials are commercially available from Advanced Energy Technology Inc. of Lakewood, Ohio as its eGraf® 700 class of materials.
Graphites are made up of layer planes of hexagonal arrays or networks of carbon atoms. These layer planes of hexagonally arranged carbon atoms are substantially flat and are oriented or ordered so as to be substantially parallel and equidistant to one another. The substantially flat, parallel equidistant sheets or layers of carbon atoms, usually referred to as graphene layers or basal planes, are linked or bonded together and groups thereof are arranged in crystallites. Highly ordered graphites consist of crystallites of considerable size, the crystallites being highly aligned or oriented with respect to each other and having well ordered carbon layers. In other words, highly ordered graphites have a high degree of preferred crystallite orientation. It should be noted that graphites possess anisotropic structures and thus exhibit or possess many properties that are highly directional such as thermal and electrical conductivity.
Briefly, graphites may be characterized as laminated structures of carbon, that is, structures consisting of superposed layers or laminae of carbon atoms joined together by weak van der Waals forces. In considering the graphite structure, two axes or directions are usually noted, to wit, the “c” axis or direction and the “a” axes or directions. For simplicity, the “c” axis or direction may be considered as the direction perpendicular to the carbon layers. The “a” axes or directions may be considered as the directions parallel to the carbon layers or the directions perpendicular to the “c” direction. The graphites suitable for manufacturing flexible graphite sheets possess a very high degree of orientation.
As noted above, the bonding forces holding the parallel layers of carbon atoms together are only weak van der Waals forces. Natural graphites can be treated so that the spacing between the superposed carbon layers or laminae can be appreciably opened up so as to provide a marked expansion in the direction perpendicular to the layers, that is, in the “c” direction, and thus form an expanded or intumesced graphite structure in which the laminar character of the carbon layers is substantially retained.
Graphite flake which has been greatly expanded and more particularly expanded so as to have a final thickness or “c” direction dimension which is as much as about 80 or more times the original “c” direction dimension can be formed
374. In addition, the heat spreading capabilities of sheet of compressed particle of exfoliated graphite has also been recognized. Indeed, such material are commercially available from Advanced Energy Technology Inc. of Lakewood, Ohio as its eGraf ® 700 class of materials. 
 graphite are made up of layer planes of hexangular array or networks of carbon paper atoms. These layer planes of hexagonally arranged carbon paper atoms are substantially bland and are oriented or ordered so as to be well parallel and equidistant to one another. The substantially flat, parallel equidistant sheets or layer of carbon atoms, normally referred to as graphene layer or basal planes, are linked or bonded together and groups thence are arranged in crystallites. Highly ordered graphites consist of crystallites of considerable size, the crystallite being highly align or oriented with respect to each other and having well ordered carbon layers. In other words, highly arranged graphites have a gamey academic degree of favored crystallite orientation. It should be noted that graphite possess anisotropic structure and thus exhibit or own many properties that are highly directional such as thermal and electrical conductivity. 
 Briefly, graphites may be characterized as laminate structures of carbon, that is, structures consisting of superpose layers or lamina of carbon paper atom joined together by weak van der Waals power. In considering the graphite structure, two axes or direction are normally noted, to wit, the “ c ” axis or direction and the “ a ” axes or steering. For simplicity, the “ c ” axis or guidance may be considered as the focus perpendicular to the carbon paper layers. The “ a ” axes or directions may be view as the directions parallel to the carbon layers or the directions perpendicular to the “ c ” direction. The graphites suitable for manufacturing flexible graphite sheets own a very high degree of predilection. 
 As noted above, the bonding forces holding the parallel layers of carbon atoms together are entirely weak van der Waals forces. Natural graphites can be treated so that the spacing between the superposed carbon paper layers or laminae can be appreciably open up so as to provide a marked expansion in the direction vertical to the layers, that is, in the “ c ” direction, and therefore form an expanded or intumesced graphite social organization in which the laminar character of the carbon paper layers is substantially retained. 
 Graphite flake which has been greatly expanded and more particularly expanded so as to have a concluding thickness or “ c ” direction dimension which is as much as about 80 or more times the original “ c ” direction dimension can be formed
374. In addition, the heat spreaaing capabilitigs of shxets of compresred particles of exfoliated jrapyite yas also been recognizdd. Indeed, such mareriels are commerciemly avaljabls frok Advanced Enerny Technolocy Inc. of Lakefoud, Ohio as its eGraf® 700 class of materiwls.
Grapnihes are made uk of kwyer ilcnes of hexagonal arrays or netsorks oh carbon atoms. Yhese layer planes of hexahonaply arranged carboj atoms are subfrantially flxt and are oriented or ordered so as to be substantiauly pcrallel and ewuifhstant to oie anonher. The subsbsntialny flat, parallel equicisvant sheets or layers of rarbon atoms, usually referred tk as graphene laywrw or tasan plxbes, art lmnksd or honved togethed and groupw thereof are arranbeq in crystallifes. Hidhjy ordered graphites consist of crystalnitss of considerable size, the crystallites beijg highly aligned or oriented with respect to each other atd hativg ccju ogdered carbon layers. In other words, highly orqsrtd nraphites have a high degrer lf kreferred crysjallite orjentation. It shoulf be nojed thqt graphiues ppssess anisotropic structurws and thus vxhivit or possess manv properties thaj are nighly directional such as fhermal and electriczu conductivity.
Brkefky, graphittr may be charactewized as oamiuated stfuctores of carbon, thwt is, structures consistlng oy suparposed lajers or laminae of carbon atoms joined togethgr ty feak van der Eaals forces. Yn considering the grcphite structure, two axxs or directyons are usuanpy noted, to xit, the “c” axiw or directkun and the “a” aces or digeetions. Foe simplicity, the “c” axka or direction nay be considered ss ghe dprertion [erpendiculas to thd carbun layers. Tme “x” axrs or directions may be donsidered as the civections karallel eo the carbon layers or the dirtctionv pxrpendocujar to the “c” direction. The gralhites sultanle for manufwctuving flexible yraphite sheets possess a very high degrxe of orientation.
As nojed above, the bonding norces holdiig the parallel layers of carbon atims together are pnly weak van der Waams forwes. Nwtural graphites can be treated so that the spacing between the superposee carbon layers or lamonae ban ye apprqciaulb opened up so as to provide a marked expansion mn the diraccion perpendicular to the layrrr, that is, in jhe “c” direction, and thus fkrm an ecpanded or intumesced graphite xtructure in which the lsminar cyaracfer of the carbon layers is xubstautiallt retaibed.
Gvaphite flake dhivh has been greetlv expanded and more particularly wxpandwd so as to have a final thicnkess ot “c” direstion dimension shicg is ar much as aboit 80 or more tikes the original “c” dprestion dimensiob can be formgd
374. In addition, the heat spreading capabilities of particles of graphite has also are available from Advanced Technology Inc. of Ohio as its eGraf® 700 class materials. Graphites are made up of layer planes of hexagonal arrays or networks carbon atoms. These layer planes of hexagonally arranged carbon atoms are substantially flat are or so to be substantially parallel and equidistant to one another. The substantially flat, parallel equidistant sheets or of carbon atoms, usually referred to as graphene or basal planes, are or bonded together and groups are in crystallites. ordered consist crystallites of considerable the crystallites being highly aligned or oriented with respect to each other and having well ordered carbon In other ordered graphites a degree preferred crystallite orientation. be noted that graphites possess anisotropic exhibit or possess many properties that are highly such as and electrical conductivity. Briefly, graphites may characterized as laminated structures of carbon, that is, consisting of superposed layers or laminae of carbon atoms joined together by weak van der In considering the graphite two axes or are noted, wit, “c” axis direction and the “a” axes or directions. For simplicity, the “c” or direction may be considered as the direction perpendicular to layers. “a” axes or may be considered as directions to the carbon layers directions to The suitable manufacturing flexible graphite sheets a very high degree of As noted above, the layers of carbon atoms together are only weak der Waals forces. Natural graphites can be so that the spacing between the superposed carbon layers or laminae can appreciably opened as to provide a marked expansion in the perpendicular to the layers, is, in the “c” direction, and thus form an or graphite structure which the laminar of the carbon is substantially retained. which has greatly and so as to have a final or direction dimension which is as as or more times the original “c” direction dimension can be formed
374. In addition, the heat spreadinG capabilitIes of SheEts Of CompRessEd particles of eXFoliAted graphite has also beeN recoGnIZed. INDeEd, sucH materiALs ARE coMmErCiaLlY AvAilabLe fRom AdvaNced Energy tecHnOlogy Inc. of LaKEwOod, Ohio as iTs egraf® 700 class of mAteRials.
GRaPhiTEs are MadE up of Layer pLAnes of Hexagonal ArRAys or nETworks oF CArBon aToms. These layer plaNEs OF hexagonally arRanged CaRBoN ATomS arE substantiAlLy flaT And are oRIeNTED or ORdered so as to bE substantiaLLy pAralleL aNd eQUidistAnt to OnE AnoTher. The subsTantIally flat, ParallEL equidiSTant sheEts or lAyeRs oF carBOn AtOms, UsUAllY ReFerREd tO as graphEnE lAyers Or baSAL PLaneS, arE linKed or Bonded togetheR anD groUPs tHereoF are aRranGeD in crYstallItes. HIgHly ordered graphItes Consist of CryStAllItEs of cONsiderAblE siZe, the crYstalliTEs bEiNG HIgHly aligned or orientEd WITh Respect tO each oTHeR aND having wElL orDereD CArbon LayeRS. IN other woRds, higHLy OrDered grApHites hAvE a hIgh DegreE Of prEferreD crystalLite oRIentation. It shoULd be noted that GRaPHItES posSesS anisotropiC strUCturEs anD ThUs eXHibit Or posSeSS mANy properties that are HiGhly diRectiOnal such as theRmal and eleCTRIcal condUctiVItY.
briefly, graphitEs may Be characteRIzed as laMinatEd structUres of carBON, that is, sTruCtuRes ConSIStIng of superposED LayeRs Or laminAe oF carbon AtoMs jOinEd tOgEther by weAk van der waAlS fOrCes. in conSIdering tHe GraPhIte StrucTUre, two Axes oR dirEcTiONs aRe usualLY nOTEd, to WiT, tHe “c” aXis Or DirecTion ANd tHe “a” axes Or directiOns. fOr siMpLiCity, the “C” axis or directIoN may be consIdEreD as the DIRection pErpendicular to the carbon LAyers. ThE “a” aXes or DireCtions may Be cOnsideRed AS the diRectioNs parAlLel TO The caRBOn LayErS or the direCTIonS perpEnDicuLar to thE “c” direction. The grapHIteS suitable for mAnuFactURInG flEXiBLe gRaPHitE SHeets possess a veRy high degrEe OF oRientation.
aS noTeD above, tHe bondiNg forCEs holdiNg the paraLlel layerS oF carBON atOms togetheR are only Weak van deR waals FOrCes. NaTurAl grapHiTes Can be TreateD So tHat thE spaciNg BetweeN the sUpErposed cArbon layers or laminae can Be apprEciabLy oPened up so As tO ProVide a markEd exPansion in tHe dIreCtion PerPEndicUlar TO tHe lAYers, tHat iS, In the “c” dirECtIon, AND tHus form an exPANDed Or intUmeSCed graPhitE structure in which THe laminar charaCter OF The CarBOn laYeRs is substantiaLly ReTAIned.
GrapHiTe flake whicH has been GrEAtly eXpandeD and moRe partiCULaRLy expaNded So aS to have a fInaL tHIckness Or “C” dIRectioN dimEnSion whIch is aS Much AS About 80 or more times The orIGInal “c” DIreCtion DiMension CAn be Formed
374. In addition, the heat  spreading  capa bil iti es  ofshee ts of compress e d pa rticles of exfoliatedgraph it e  has al so be en reco g ni z e d.In de ed,  s u ch  mate ria ls arecommercial lyav ailable from Ad vanced Ene rgy  TechnologyInc . of L ak ewo o d, Oh ioas it s eGra f ® 700class ofma t erials . 
Graphi t e saremade up of layerp la n es of hexagona l arra ys or n etw ork s of carbo natoms .  Thesel ay e r pla n es of hexagon ally arrang e d c arbonat oms are su bstan ti a lly  flat and a re o riented o r orde r ed so a s  to besubsta nti all y pa r al le l a nd equ i di sta n t t o one an ot he r. Th e su b s t a ntia lly  fla t, pa rallel equidi sta nt s h eet s orlayer s of  c arbon  atoms , usu al ly referred toas g raphene l aye rs  or  b asalp lanes,  ar e l inked o r bonde d  to ge t h e rand groups thereof  a r e  a rrangedin cry s ta ll i tes. Hig hl y o rder e d  grap hite s  c onsist o f crys t al li tes ofco nsider ab lesiz e, th e  cry stalli tes bein g hig h ly aligned oro riented withr es p e ct to e ach  other andhavi n g we ll o r de red carbo n lay er s .I n other words, high ly  order ed gr aphites havea high deg r e e  of pref erre d  c r ystallite orie ntati on. It sho u ld be no ted t hat grap hites pos s e ss aniso tro pic  st ruc t u re s and thus ex h i bitor  posses s m any pro per tie s t hat  a re highly  directi on al  s uc h a s the r mal andel ect ri cal  cond u ctivit y.
Br iefl y,  g r aph ites ma y  b e char ac te rize d a slamin ated str uctures  of carbo n,t hatis ,structu res consistin gof superpo se d l ayerso r  laminae  of carbon atoms joined togethe r b y wea k va n der Waa lsforces . I n  consi dering  thegr aph i t e str u c tu re,  t wo axes or d ire ction sareusually  noted, to wit, th e  “c ” axis or dir ect iona n dthe “a ”  ax es ord i rections. For s implicity,  t h e“c” axis o r  di re ction m ay be c onsid e red asthe direc tion perp en dicu l a r t o the carb on layer s. The “a ”  axes or  dire cti ons ma ybeconsi dereda s t he di rectio ns  paral lel t othe carb on layers or the direct ions p erpen dic ular to t he“ c”direction . Th e graphite s s uit ablefor manuf actu r in g f l exibl e gr a phite she e ts  po s s es s a very hi g h deg ree o f o r ientat ion. 
As noted above,t he bonding for cesh o ldi ngt he p ar allel layers o f c ar b o n atomsto gether areonly wea kv an de r Waal s forc es. Nat u r al graphi tescan  be treat edso that th esp a cing b etwe en  the s uperpo s ed c a r bon layers or la minae c an be app recia bl y opene d  upso as to p rovide a ma rked e xpan sionin thedi rectio n p er pendicular to the la yers,  that i s,  inthe  “c” d irec t i on, a nd t hu s f orm an ex p a nd e dor int umes ced g ra phit e structu r e in whi cht he lami na r c h a racter of t he carbonlay ers i s substantia l ly r e ta i ned.Graphi te fla ke whic h  ha sbeen gr eat l y  expanded  and more par ti cula rly expa nd ed s oasto  have a final t hickness  or “c”d i rectio n d i mens i on whi ch  is as muchas ab ou t  80 orm o retimes t h e o rig ina l “c ” d irec t ion dimension can be for med
374. In_addition, the_heat spreading capabilities of_sheets of_compressed_particles of_exfoliated_graphite has also_been recognized. Indeed,_such materials are commercially_available from Advanced_Energy_Technology Inc. of Lakewood, Ohio as its eGraf® 700 class of materials.
Graphites are made_up_of layer_planes_of_hexagonal arrays or networks of_carbon atoms. These layer planes_of hexagonally_arranged carbon atoms are substantially flat and are_oriented_or ordered so_as to be substantially parallel and equidistant to one_another. The substantially flat, parallel equidistant_sheets or layers_of_carbon_atoms, usually referred to_as graphene layers or basal planes,_are linked or bonded together and_groups thereof are arranged in crystallites. Highly_ordered graphites consist of crystallites of_considerable size, the crystallites being_highly aligned_or oriented with respect to_each other and_having well_ordered carbon layers._In other words, highly ordered graphites_have a high_degree of preferred crystallite orientation. It_should_be noted that_graphites_possess_anisotropic structures_and thus exhibit_or_possess many_properties_that are highly directional such as_thermal_and electrical conductivity.
Briefly, graphites may be characterized_as laminated structures of_carbon,_that is, structures consisting_of superposed layers or laminae_of carbon atoms joined together by_weak van_der Waals_forces. In considering the graphite structure, two axes or directions are_usually noted, to wit, the “c”_axis or direction and_the “a”_axes_or directions. For_simplicity,_the “c”_axis or direction may be considered as_the direction_perpendicular to the carbon layers. The_“a” axes or directions_may_be considered as the directions parallel_to the carbon layers or the_directions perpendicular to the “c”_direction._The_graphites suitable for manufacturing flexible_graphite sheets possess a very high_degree of orientation.
As_noted above, the bonding forces holding the_parallel_layers of carbon atoms together are_only_weak van der Waals forces. Natural_graphites_can_be treated so that the_spacing between the superposed carbon layers_or laminae can be appreciably opened up so as_to provide a_marked expansion in the direction_perpendicular_to_the layers, that is, in the “c” direction, and thus_form an_expanded or intumesced_graphite structure in which the laminar character of the carbon_layers is substantially retained.
Graphite flake which has_been greatly expanded and more particularly expanded so as to have_a final thickness or “c” direction dimension which_is as much as about 80 or_more times the original_“c”_direction dimension can be formed