What are the uses and properties of graphite electrodes?

Uses 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 smelting. According to the capacity of the electric furnace, 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-heat electric furnaces; graphite electrode ore-heat electric furnaces are mainly used to produce ferroalloys, pure silicon, yellow phosphorus, matte and calcium carbide, etc. Its characteristic is that the lower part of the conductive electrode is buried in the charge. 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 of yellow phosphorus.

3. Used in resistance furnaces; graphitization furnaces for graphite products in the production process, melting furnaces and production of melting glass, and electric furnaces for silicon carbide are all resistance furnaces. The material in the furnace is both a heating resistor and a heated object.

4. A large number of graphite electrode blanks are also used to process various crucibles, graphite boats, hot pressing molds, vacuum furnace heating elements and other special-shaped products.

Performance of graphite electrodes:

1. Graphite electrodes have the properties of low electrode consumption, fast processing speed, good machining performance, high processing accuracy, small thermal deformation, light weight, easy metal surface treatment, and electrode bonding.

2. Graphite has high high temperature strength, excellent processability and excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, so it is widely used in metallurgical industry, heating furnaces, wire EDM and other industries. In terms of EDM, the development trend of new graphite electrode materials and processing technologies has expanded the application scope of EDM and improved its performance.