Refractories remain the largest end use for the graphite market (35%), where flake and amrphous grades are used in various applications.
Amorphous graphite is used in the refractories industry.Due to its high temperature stability and chemical inertness graphite is a good candidate for a refractory material. It is used in the production of refractory bricks and in the production of “Mag-carbon” refractory bricks (Mg-C.) Graphite is also used to manufacture crucibles, ladles and moulds for containing molten metals. Additionally graphite is one of the most common materials used in the production of functional refractories for the continuous casting of steel. In this application graphite flake is mixed with alumina and zirconia and then isostatically pressed to form components such as stopper rods, subentry nozzles and ladle shrouds used in both regulating flow of molten steel and protecting against oxidation. This type of material may also be used as shielding for pyrometers.

In the production of iron, graphite blocks are used to form part of the lining of the blast furnace. Its structural strength at temperature, thermal shock resistance, high thermal conductivity, low thermal expansion and good chemical resistance are of paramount importance in this application.