What are graphite electrodes? Graphite electrodes are kind of conductive material in electric arc furnace steelmaking production. The graphite electrodes are mainly made of petroleum coke and needle coke as raw materials, and coal pitch is used as a binder, and is made by calcination, batching, kneading, pressing, roasting, graphitization, and machining. Due to some special properties of graphite. It is a conductor that releases electrical energy in the form of an electric arc to heat and melt the charge in the electric arc furnace. According to its quality index, it can be divided into rp graphite electrode, high power graphite electrode and ultra high power graphite electrode.
What are the graphite electrodes?
Rp graphite electrode, produced with ordinary grade petroleum coke. Graphitization temperature is low, its resistivity is high, the coefficient of linear expansion is large, and its thermal shock resistance is poor, so the current density is allowed to be low.
HP graphite electrode, produced with high-quality petroleum coke (or low-grade needle coke). Sometimes the electrode body needs to be dipped. Its physical and mechanical properties are higher than those of ordinary power graphite electrodes, such as low resistivity, which allows a large current density.
UHP graphite electrodes must be produced with high-grade needle coke. And the graphitization heat treatment should be carried out in the internal graphitization furnace. The graphitization temperature is as high as 2800 ~ 3000 ° C. Therefore, the resistivity is lower, allowing greater current density, the linear expansion coefficient is smaller, and has excellent thermal shock resistance.
The main raw material for the production of graphite electrodes is petroleum coke. A small amount of pitch coke can be added to rp graphite electrodes, and the sulfur content of petroleum coke and pitch coke cannot exceed 0.5%. Needle coke is also needed when producing high-power or ultra-high-power graphite electrodes. The main raw material for the production of aluminum anodes is petroleum coke, and the sulfur content should be controlled not more than 1.5% to 2%. Petroleum coke and asphalt coke should meet the relevant national quality standards.
The development of electric furnace steelmaking technology, the enlargement of electric furnaces, the increase of electric power per unit furnace capacity and the use of DC electric arc furnaces have constantly put forward new requirements for the variety and performance of graphite electrodes. The use of high-power and ultra-high-power electric furnace steelmaking can shorten the furnace melting time, improve production efficiency, reduce power consumption and reduce graphite electrode consumption.
RS Graphite Electrode Manufacturers
RS Group, one of the Graphite electrode manufacturers, supply rp, hp, uhp graphite electrodes to the steelmaking plant. And our customer has been more than 60 countries anf areas all over the world. If you are want to buy the rp graphite electrode, please contact us, we will reply you as soon as possible.