How to avoid electrode breakage and detachment during steelmaking process?

How to avoid electrode breakage and detachment during steelmaking process?
The following measures can be taken during the steelmaking process to effectively avoid electrode breakage and detachment: (1) The electrode phase sequence is correct, in the counterclockwise direction. (2) The scrap steel in the steel furnace is evenly distributed, and large pieces of scrap steel should be placed at the bottom of the furnace as much as possible. (3) Avoid the presence of non-conductive materials in scrap steel. (4) The electrode column should be aligned with the furnace top hole and parallel to it. The wall of the furnace top hole should be cleaned regularly to avoid the accumulation of residual steel slag that may force the electrode to break. (5) Keep the tilting system of the electric furnace in good condition to ensure smooth tilting of the electric furnace. (6) The electrode holder should avoid being clamped at the electrode connection and electrode joint hole. (7) Select high-strength, high-precision, and high-quality joints. (8) The torque applied during electrode connection should be appropriate. (9) Before and during electrode connection, prevent mechanical damage to the electrode hole threads and joint threads. (10) Prevent steel slag or foreign objects from being embedded in the electrode holes and joints and affecting the rotary joint.
What should steel mills pay attention to during the crane lifting process when using graphite electrodes?
Whether using a forklift or a crane to transport electrodes, careful operation is necessary. During the electrode lifting process, damage to the electrode end and threads can cause serious problems for the use of the electrode. It is particularly important to protect the threads of the threaded holes and joints. When lifting the electrode, there should be a protective pad to avoid damaging the electrode end face and joint thread.
How to connect the electrodes correctly?
When connecting, use compressed air to blow the electrode hole, electrode end face, and joint clean, without any dust or foreign objects embedded. The connection should be kept clean and flat. When the two electrodes are screwed in to a certain extent (with a gap of about 10mm), blow them clean again with compressed air, and then tighten the electrodes with torque pliers. The torque applied during tightening should be appropriate. If there is a gap at the connection after tightening, it must be disconnected and reconnected until there is no gap.
Regarding the correct clamping position of the electrode holder
The electrode holder should not be clamped at the connection of the electrode or the threaded hole of the electrode. It should be clamped between the white lines on both ends of the electrode. At the same time, before clamping the electrode, the surface of the electrode and the holder should be blown clean with compressed air to ensure good conduction of current and heat flow between the electrode and the holder, prevent damage to the holder caused by arcing, and extend the service life of the holder.
What are the measures to reduce electrode oxidation consumption during electric arc furnace steelmaking?
The main reduction measures include: (1) reducing the oxidation consumption around the electrode perimeter, strengthening the sealing of the furnace, and reducing air intrusion into the furnace; Try to minimize the exposure time of the red hot electrode outside the furnace and standardize the oxygen blowing operation. (2) For smelting furnaces, if conditions permit, the use of spray cooling technology for electrodes can effectively reduce the consumption of oxidation on the electrode side. (3) Spraying antioxidant substances on the surface of electrodes by steel mills, or using antioxidant impregnation treatment technology by electrode manufacturers before leaving the factory, can improve the antioxidant performance of the electrode body.
What is the impact of electrode phase sequence on the use of electrodes?
The positive and negative electrode phase sequence during electric arc furnace steelmaking has a significant impact on the phenomenon of electrode detachment and breakage during use. If the electrode phase sequence is clockwise, the electrode will loosen after being energized for a period of time, which can easily cause electrode loosening or joint breakage. The correct electrode phase sequence should be counterclockwise, so that the electrode joint will become increasingly tight during use.
Why is it required for the phase electrode to be parallel and aligned with the top hole of the furnace cover during electric arc furnace steelmaking?
The electrode column should be aligned with the top hole of the furnace cover, and friction between the electrode column and the furnace cover should be avoided. Otherwise, friction between the electrode column and the furnace cover during lifting and lowering will cause the furnace cover to crush the electrode. For AC furnaces, the three-phase electrode columns should be kept parallel as much as possible.
How to apply torque during electrode rotation?
The torque applied during electrode rotation should be appropriate, and the operation should be consistent. If the torque is too small, it will cause the joint to loosen due to heat, and if the torque is too large, it will cause the electrode joint hole to crack. Special electrode rotation tools should be used during rotation, and do not tighten or loosen too tightly. If there is a gap in the end face contact after tightening, it must be removed and cleaned before re screwing.
Why is it said that graphite lifting equipment is better than metal lifting equipment?
Although metal lifting equipment is durable and not easily damaged, when heated during use, the thermal expansion of the metal lifting equipment can easily crack the electrode holes. At the same time, when taking out the metal lifting equipment, it is easy to damage the threads inside the electrode holes, causing a large area of scraping off the threads inside the holes and making the electrodes prone to detachment. Graphite lifting equipment has the same thermal expansion performance and hardness as the electrodes, and will not experience the above-mentioned adverse use situations. However, graphite lifting equipment has a short service life and is easily damaged. If serious damage is found, it should be replaced in a timely manner.
How to correctly select electrodes during electric arc furnace steelmaking?
Reasonably select electrodes that meet the production requirements of electric arc furnaces based on their design characteristics, and choose products with the best cost-effectiveness. It is essential to carefully select electrodes suitable for each furnace. The special performance of the steelmaking furnace, feeding method, maximum current intensity, length of the electrode column under the clamp, distance between the furnace side wall and the electrode circumference, etc. are all factors that must be considered when selecting and using electrodes for electric arc furnaces.