Abstract

Nigeria is blessed with abundant graphite deposits and raw materials for Pencil production but unfortunately has not been able to harness these potentials for its production. This work is aimed at Designing and developing a laboratory scale Pencil Lead Extrusion Die. The Die was designed using Solid-works e-drawing software version 2013 and developed. It was designed with four different components that can be easily assembled together, this include; Die-jig, Die-tube, Rammer and Die-nozzle. HB and 6H grades Pencil Leads of 3mm diameter each were produced using the die with a local graphite concentrate. The produced Pencil Leads were heat treated in a Furnace to impart the desired strength. Local Pencil Stock treated with wax to improve it machining and sharpening characteristics was used. Micro-Hardness test was carried out on both the pencil Lead and the stock using Vickers Micro Hardness Tester. The hardness values of the produced HB and 6H grade Pencils were found to be 35.9HV and 46.8HV which are in agreement with 31.2HV and 42.5HV for standard HB and 6H grades respectively. Kapok local Pencil stock was used successfully as a Pencil case due to its good machining and sharpening characteristics with straight and well aligned grains; it also sharpens without splinters. Writability and glide test established that the Pencil glides smoothly with good writability compared with standard HB Pencil Leads.

Key words: Keywords: Extrusion Die, Pencil Leads, graphite concentrate, Stock.