US President George W. Bush allayed fears that some 900 tonnes of bulk graphite the US planned to export to China would hurt the US space launch industry. Bush notified the US House of Representatives and the Senate of his approval of the exports in a letter Monday in which he said the material was not likely to noticeably improve China's missile or space launch capabilities, the South China Morning Post reported. Chinese firms plan to use the graphite � a refined form of carbon � to make electrodes, dies and moulds used in the manufacturing of plastic, rubber, copper, tin and iron components. Graphite can also be used to produce nozzles for solid-rocket motors, which is why the deal required a special US government review.
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