Graphite Electrode, a conductive metal used for steelmaking in Electric Arc Furnace EAFs to create high temperature arcs that melt scrap metal or other materials. Graphite Electrode is a conductive material used in Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steelmaking to generate high-temperature arcs for melting scrap metal and other raw materials. Graphite has all the qualities needed, including excellent electrical conductivity and low resistance. It also offers a large density in bulk, a small thermal expansion coefficient, high mechanical strength, etc.
During EAF steelmaking, the electrodes are mounted in the furnace lid. Sizes range from 0.75 metres to 2.8 meters and weights up to 2 metric tons. The electrodes are made from carbon materials such as coal tar pitch or needle coke.
When an electric current passes through the electrodes, it causes the tips to heat up rapidly to 3,000 degrees Celsius, which is half as hot as the surface of the sun. This extreme heat melts the scrap metal charge in the EAF and removes impurities from it, such as slag, slack and scale. Water is used to spray the electrodes with a cool mist in order for them not to oxidize. The cooling water is supplied through a series of headers 6 fitted to the lower part of each electrode holder 4. The headers consist of ring-shaped pipes 7 that are positioned around the outside circumferences and the electrodes themselves 3, as well as vertical pipes 8 which extend down at intervals on the horizontal surfaces of these electrodes. The vertical pipe heads 8 are equipped with spraying nozzles 5, which can be positioned on the outside of each head. The nozzles are oriented toward the electrodes, and coolant sprayed by the nozzles is directed onto the surfaces of each electrode 3 in an even manner. The coolant that is sprayed out by the nozzles may be industrial water (or an oxidation-preventing solution such as phosphoric gas or inert air).
The production of graphite is a complex process, so it's vital to ensure that the final product will meet all of the requirements for steelmaking in an electric arc furnace. These properties must include volume density (denseness), resistance, mechanical force, and elastic modulus. It is important that they have high processing tolerance and can withstand the constant operation in an electric furnace. In order to produce high quality final products, electrodes and joints must also be in top condition. Transporting electrodes by crane or forklift is important to avoid damaging the threaded ends of electrodes.
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