Yes, graphite can be converted into carbon through a process called graphitization or carbonization. Graphite is a form of carbon that has a layered structure composed of stacked graphene sheets. During graphitization, the structure of graphite is altered to convert it into a more ordered form of carbon.
Graphitization typically involves heating graphite to high temperatures in the absence of oxygen. The exact temperature and conditions can vary depending on the desired outcome and application. The heat causes the carbon atoms in graphite to rearrange and align, forming a more ordered crystalline structure.
As a result of graphitization, the layered structure of graphite breaks down, and the material becomes more graphitic and less amorphous. The resulting carbon material retains many of the properties of graphite, such as high thermal and electrical conductivity, but with increased structural integrity and decreased interlayer spacing.
Graphitization is commonly used in various industrial processes, such as the production of high-quality graphite electrodes for use in electric arc furnaces, manufacturing synthetic diamonds, and producing carbon fibers for use in aerospace, automotive, and other high-performance applications.