HOPG has to be stuck to steel. The steel has to be reused. I want to be able to use that same bar of steel again and again but change the HOPG (HOPG will be consumed in the process). No electrical conductivity requirements.
Maybe this discussion ― also about graphite coating of steel ― can be found of some help: https://www.researchgate.net/post/How_to_coat_steel_with_graphite