St. Marys, PA - August 29, 2012 - Mersen USA - St. Marys, PA Corp has released their new DarkStar particle, an ultra-fine carbon particle that is part of Mersen's ELLOR^® DS4 graphite. By incorporating the DarkStar particle technology, DS4 graphite delivers excellent surface finish and intricate detail, is easy to machine and exceptionally strong. Mersen's DS4 is a proven performer, offering precision and consistency in high-end EDM machining.

Mersen's DarkStar is an innovative carbonaceous particle with outstanding performance characteristics. Designed for the most demanding EDM applications, the DarkStar particle was created to answer the shortcomings of most ultra-fine grain graphite. After years of intensive R&D and extensive field testing, the Mersen team was able to synthesize a particle from a readily available, highly carbonaceous raw material. These synthesized DarkStar particles provide outstanding adhesion when processed to the ultra-high temperatures required to obtain the quasi-graphitic state of an EDM graphite electrode, while maintaining the single phase characteristics required to facilitate machining.

The new DarkStar particle is incorporated into DS4, an ultra-fine grain EDM graphite that meets all needs of the discerning, ultra-fine grain EDM market. An exceptionally strong graphite, DS4 is easy-to-machine and provides an excellent surface finish, with a density of 1.88 gm/cm³, flexural strength up to 13,500 psi and electrical resistivity of .00052 Ohm-inches, with an average grain size of less than 5 microns.

As the the largest producer of specialty iso-molded graphite in North America, Mersen possesses the experience, technology and resources needed to shape the future of EDM. In addition to DS4, Mersen offers a complete range of graphite grades to suit any EDM application, from roughing to ultra-fine finishing.

 About Mersen:
Mersen USA - St. Marys, PA Corp, a division of Mersen USA, is located in St. Marys, PA. Previously known as Carbone and Stackpole, the site has more than 50 years of world-class isostatic graphite manufacturing history.
Mersen Group, an EN 16001 certified company, is a global expert in materials and equipment for extreme environments and for the safety and reliability of electrical equipment. The Group develops innovative solutions geared to the needs of its customers in order to optimize their industrial performance in expanding sectors, including energy, transportation, electronics, chemicals/pharmaceuticals and process industries.

With over 7,000 employees in 60 production facilities across 40 countries, Mersen is a world leader in the production of graphite, anticorrosion equipment, power semiconductor fuses and brushes for electric rotating machines, with a strong hold on the market of industrial fuses and isostatic graphite production.

For more information, please contact:
Harry Burden
Mersen USA - St. Marys, PA Corp, a division of Mersen USA
215 Stackpole Street
St. Marys, PA 15857
(P): 814-781-8514
(F): 814-781-8417
harry.burden@mersen.com

www.Mersen.com/en

-or-

Tim Glass
Altman-Hall Associates
235 W. 7th Street
Erie, PA 16505
(P): 814-454-0158

www.altman-hall.com