What are the uses and properties of graphite electrodes

Uses and performance of graphite electrodes:
1. Used in electric arc steelmaking furnaces
Graphite electrodes are mainly used for electric furnace steelmaking. Electric furnace steelmaking uses graphite electrodes to introduce current into the furnace. The strong current generates arc discharge through the gas at the lower end of the electrode, and the heat generated by the arc is used for tempering. According to the size of the electric furnace capacity, graphite electrodes of different diameters are used. In order to make the electrodes continuous, the electrodes are connected by electrode threaded joints. Graphite electrodes for steelmaking account for about 70-80% of the total amount of graphite electrodes.
2. Used in ore-fired electric furnaces
Graphite electrode ore-fired electric furnaces are mainly used to produce ferroalloys, pure silicon, matte and calcium carbide. Its characteristic is that the lower part of the conductive electrode is buried in the furnace. Therefore, in addition to the heat generated by the arc between the electric plate and the charge, the resistance of the charge also generates heat when the current passes through the charge. About 150kg of graphite electrodes are consumed per ton of silicon, and about 40kg of graphite electrodes are consumed per ton.
3. Used in resistance furnaces
The graphitization furnace for producing graphite products, the melting furnace for melting glass and the electric furnace for producing silicon carbide are all resistance furnaces. The materials in the furnace are both heating resistors and objects to be heated. Generally, the graphite electrode for conduction is inserted into the furnace head wall at the end of the furnace bed, so the conductive electrode is not consumed continuously.
4. Used for processing
Many graphite electrode blanks are also used to process into various special-shaped products such as crucibles, graphite boats, hot pressing molds and vacuum electric furnace heating elements. It should be noted that the synthetic materials of graphite materials at high temperatures include graphite electrodes, graphite molds and graphite crucibles. The graphite in these three materials is easy to undergo oxidation and combustion reactions at high temperatures, resulting in an increase in the porosity and loose structure of the carbon layer on the surface of the material, which affects the service life.
Graphite electrodes are mainly made of petroleum coke and needle coke as raw materials, coal tar as binder, and are made through calcination, batching, kneading, pressing, roasting, graphitization, and machining. They are conductors that heat and melt the charge by releasing electric energy in an electric arc furnace. According to their quality indicators, they can be divided into ordinary power graphite electrodes, high power graphite electrodes, and ultra-high power graphite electrodes.