Graphite Electrode Guide


Graphite Electrodes

Graphite electrodes are used mainly in electric arc furnace steel production because they have the properties of high electrical conductivity.

Description

Graphite electrodes are presently the only products available that have the high levels of electrical conductivity and the capability of sustaining the extremely high levels of heat generated in this demanding environment. They are used to refine steel in ladle furnaces and in other smelting processes. These act as conductors of electricity in the furnace, generating sufficient heat to melt scrap metal, iron ore or other raw materials used to produce steel or other metals. In a typical furnace using alternating current and operating at a typical number of production cycles per day, one of the nine electrodes is fully consumed (requiring the addition of a new electrode), on average, every eight to ten operating hours. The actual rate of consumption and addition of electrodes for a particular furnace depends primarily on the efficiency and productivity of the furnace.

Size/Weight Chart

Name Electrode diameter Electrode length Electrode weight (reference value)
Diameter x length Maximum Minimum Maximum Minimum Electrode product weight (excluding nipple)
inch mm mm mm mm mm kg
14×60 350×1500 357 352 1550 1400 253
14×72 350×1800 1875 1700 304
14×96 350×2400 2475 2275 406
16×60 400×1500 409 403 1550 1400 334
16×72 400×1800 1875 1700 395
16×96 400×2400 2475 2275 532
18×72 450×1800 460 454 1875 1700 496
18×96 450×2400 2475 2275 665
18×110 450×2700 2850 2550 766
20×72 500×1800 511 505 1875 1700 614
20×84 500×2100 2175 1975 715
20×96 500×2400 2475 2275 824
20×110 500×2700 2850 2550 927
22×84 550×2100 562 556 2175 1975 873
22×96 550×2400 2475 2275 995
24×84 600×2100 613 607 2175 1975 1040
24×96 600×2400 2475 2275 1190
24×110 600×2700 2850 2550 1340
26×110 650×2700 663 657 2850 2550 1580
28×110 700×2700 714 708 2850 2550 1830
30×110 750×2700 765 759 2850 2550 2060

Guide to Graphite Electrodes

Unit AC Furnace DC Furnace
350~450mm 500~700mm 550~800mm
14″~18″ 20″~28″ 22″~30″
Features RP UHP UHP UHP
Bulk density g/cm3 1.58~1.70 1.65~1.76 1.66~1.74 1.68~1.75
Specific resistance μΩm 6.0~8.5 4.5~6.5 4.5~6.5 4.2~5.5
Young’s modulus kN/mm2 8~12 11~16 9~14 9~13
GPa 8~12 11~16 9~14 9~13
kgf/mm2 800~1,200 1,100~1,650 950~1,400 900~1,300
Bending strength N/cm2 1,000~1,400 1,200~1,800 1,000~1,500 1,000~1,500
MPa 10~14 12~18 10~15 10~15
kgf/cm2 100~140 120~180 100~150 100~150
Thermal expansion coefficient ×10-6/゚C 0.8~1.5 0.8~1.5 0.5~1.0 0.5~0.9
(R.T. to 400°C) ×10-6/゚F 0.4~0.8 0.4~0.8 0.3~0.6 0.3~0.5
True density g/cm3 2.20~2.23 2.20~2.23 2.20~2.23 2.20~2.23
Total porosity 23~29 20~26 21~26 20~25
Ash content Less than 0.3 Less than 0.3 Less than 0.3 Less than 0.3