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Why doesn't a pencil write if its tip is heated in a candle flame?

Gremlin
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Ashin Vincent
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    I attempted, but was unable to replicate this observation. I heated a standard graphite-wood pencil in a candle flame for 10 seconds. I attempted to use it to write within 1 second of removing it from the flame, and its ability to write was unchanged. I tried it again, and got the same result. – Brionius Feb 17 '16 at 16:55
  • It could be worth mentioning that when it was hottest, the pencil's line appeared slightly lighter, but it was a very minor variation. – Brionius Feb 17 '16 at 16:55
  • @Ashin - could you specify the exact conditions of your observation? – Brionius Feb 17 '16 at 16:56
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    I tried the same a long time ago. Because I remember the effect and got a site, just asked. I think I used an HB pencil – Ashin Vincent Feb 17 '16 at 16:58
  • @Brionius All that matters is mark lightened, not conditions. – Anubhav Goel Feb 17 '16 at 16:59
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    I've removed some comments - remember that the comments are not a place for discussion! – David Z Feb 17 '16 at 17:03
  • As far as I know, the graphite is not graphite alone but mixed with clay. – Gyro Gearloose Feb 17 '16 at 17:06

2 Answers2

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The lead (I'll call it lead for brevity even though it isn't made from lead) in a pencil is a mixture of graphite and clay pressed then sintered.

A candle flame is nowhere near hot enough to chemically change the lead. The clay requires many hundreds of degrees to sinter further and the graphite doesn't burn until getting on for 2000K. So the heat from the flame is utterly inconsequantial.

However if you put the pencil into the yellow part of the flame there will be hydrocarbons present, and these will adhere and form a film over the surface of the pencil lead. This film acts as a lubricant so when you try to write the tip of the pencil just slides over the paper instead of abrading to leave a trail of graphite.

I note the comments report mixed results from the experiment. Getting the effect is very dependent on where in the flame you put the pencil. Too high in the flame and there will be no unburnt hydrocarbons left.

To fix the problem just wipe the tip of the lead with any mild abrasive to remove the hydrocarbon layer.

John Rennie
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The reason must come from the hardening it experiments under fire.

Pencils' leads (the writing core) are made today of a mixture that contains clay (see for example this patent) which hardens under the heat, but mose importantly, the compound will loose the softness because of the separation of salts under the heat.

The mixed results come from the fact that there is no unique definition of the mixture and different manufacturers will use different ones. But you should expect that soft leads, which seem to have larger content of clay, will be more affected by heat.

rmhleo
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