Graphite electrodes in an electric furnace are used for conducting electrical energy. This is done to melt steels and irons. Graphite is an excellent conductor of electricity and heat and provides the controlled, high-temperature conditions required to precisely melt and combine these metals to create high-quality alloys.
A graphite electrode must have the highest possible quality and consistency to ensure maximum performance. To evaluate the consistency and quality of a carbon electrode, a variety of test methods are used. Some of these tests use a powdered specimen to test particle size and purity. Other tests evaluate the properties of an machined graphite. The results of the tests are ultimately used to decide whether an electrode is suitable for a specific application.
Graphite Electrode Test Parameters Include Bulk Density. True density measures how compact or dense the material is. Typically it is measured in g/cm3, though sometimes as a proportion of the theoretical bulk densities of pure crystalline Graphite (2.2544g/cm3). A lower true density indicates a more loosely packed or porous graphite composition.
This is an indication that the electrodes are compact, allowing for efficient energy transfer from the conductor to the molten metal. It indicates that the electrodes can be compressed, and thus transfer energy efficiently from the conductor to molten metal.
When comparing the true density of two or more electrodes, it is necessary to take into account the manufacturing process, graphite particle size and composition, and any other factors that may affect the true density of an electrode. This comparison's results should be averaged in order to get a good representation of an electrode's resistance.
The true density of an electrode is also an important factor when determining its ability to maintain its shape during prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures. A low-density electrode can lose physical integrity and deteriorate or break down over time.
Graphite Electrode production is an extremely complex process. To produce high-purity, highly-conductive carbon graphite, petroleum coke is blended with needle coal and other solid raw material. The graphite is then refined through a series of calcination, kneading, shaping, roasting and graphitization steps to form a high-temperature resistant conductive material suitable for electrical arc furnace use. The finished electrodes are then fabricated and machined to a specified length, diameter and nipple hole size. In this way, the raw material loses weight and becomes dense. This process produces a graphite electrode that is ISO 9001-2015 certified and has the best consistency in the market.
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