Graphite Electrode

Graphite Electrode

Definition of graphite electrode

Graphite electrode is high temperature resistant graphite conductive material. It is made of petroleum coke and pitch coke as aggregate and coal tar pitch as binder. The production process for graphite electrode includes Calcining, crushing ,screening,burdening, kneading, forming, baking, impregnation, graphitization and mechanical processing. The main raw material of graphite electrode production is petroleum coke, Coal tar pitch and Needle coke. The sulphur content of petroleum coke and pitch coke can not exceed 0.5%.


Types of electrode graphite

Graphite electrodes are divided into 4 Types: RP Graphite electrodes, HP Graphite electrodes, SHP Graphite electrodes, UHP Graphite electrodes. Graphite electrode has strong electrical conductivity and can produce high heat for a long time, so it is mainly used in producing electric arc furnace steel, and can also be used in steel refining and other smelting processes. 


Graphite electrodes use

1.Electrode holder should be placed outside the safety line of the top electrode, otherwise, it is easy to break the electrode. 

2.When connecting the electrode, we need to pay attention to whether there is nipple bolt shedding, if there is a shedding needs to be made up in time. 

3.Placement mode: in order to protect the product and prevent the electrode from breaking, the electrode should be ensured to avoid tilting operation and the, group of connected electrodes should not be placed horizontally. 

4.When putting materials in the furnace, should load bulk materials to the bottom of the furnace so as to reduce the influence of large charge on the electrode. 

5.It is forbidden to pile up large pieces of insulating material at the bottom of the electrode, otherwise, it will affect the use of the electrode and even break it. 

6.It is necessary to prevent steel slag from spattering on the thread of the electrode or joint, damaging the thread accuracy.


Why is graphite electrode graphite tip sharp?

The contact between the material and point is small so that the current resistance is bigger, which allows it to reach higher temperature. If it is too thick, the heat can easily transfer from the tip to the soldering iron, and a large part of the heat will dissipate without reaching the required temperature. The soldering iron works only when most of the energy is concentrated on the point to be welded.


  • 600mm UHP Graphite Electrode
    According to the classification of electric furnace steelmaking power level and the difference of raw materials used for producing Graphite electrodes as well as the physical and chemical indexes of f...

Main ingredient of UHP graphite electrode- Needle coke

Needle coke, also called acicular coke, is a highly crystalline petroleum coke used in the production of electrodes for the steel and aluminium industries and is particularly valuable because the electrodes must be replaced regularly. Needle coke is produced exclusively from either FCC decant oil or coal tar pitch.It is needed in the production of high-power or ultra-high-power graphite electrodes.Needle coke is an important standard to distinguish regular power graphite electrodes from high power and ultra-high-power graphite electrodes.



Application of graphite electrode

Graphite electrodes are used in electric arc furnace (EAF) and ladle furnace (LF) for steel production, ferroalloy production, silicon metal production and smelting processes.Electric arc furnace steelmaking is a major user of graphite electrodes. The output of EAF steel in China accounts for about 18% of the output of crude steel, and graphite electrodes for steelmaking account for 70%-80% of the total amount of graphite electrodes. Electric furnace steelmaking is to use graphite electrode to introduce current into the furnace, and use the high temperature heat produced by arc between the end of the electrode and the charge to smelt .

In addition to excellent mechanical strength, thermal expansion, thermal shock resistance and machinability, the high temperature helps in reducing the entire mass of steel.Growing demand for steel in construction, oil & gas, and automotive industries is expected to boost the graphite electrode market.