Graphite electrode is an important high-temperature conductive material for electric furnace steelmaking. Electric energy is input to the electric furnace through the graphite electrode. The high temperature generated by the arc between the electrode end and the charge is used as the heat source to melt the charge for EAF or LF furnace.
Step 1
Raw materials
Petroleum coke and needle coke
Step 2
Calcination
The carbonaceous raw materials are heat-treated at 1250-1350°C to discharge the contained moisture and volatile matter, and the production of correspondingly improving the raw material properties.
Step 3
Crushing, screening, batching
Before batching, the large calcined petroleum coke and needle coke should be crushed, ground, and screened, and then aggregates and powders of various sizes should be processed according to the requirements of the formula. , Binders are calculated separately, weighed for ingredients.
Step 4
Mixing and kneading
At a certain temperature, the quantitative carbonaceous particles and powders of various particle sizes and the quantitative coal pitch are stirred and mixed uniformly, and the process of synthesizing plastic paste is carried out.
Step 5
Forming
The process of plastically deforming the mixed carbon paste under the 4100-ton and 3500-ton vertical extruding machine to form a green body with a certain shape, size, density and strength.
Step 6
Baking
It is the process of carbonizing the coal pitch in the green body by performing high temperature heat treatment in a carefully designed heating furnace under the protection of the filler. The calcined carbon products have higher mechanical strength, refractive index resistivity, better thermal stability and chemical stability.
Step 7
Impregnation
Inject carbon material into a pressure vessel, and inject liquid bituminous cement under certain temperature and pressure conditions to reduce the porosity of the product, increase the bulk density and mechanical strength of the product, and improve the electrical and thermal conductivity of the product.
Step 8
Secondary baking
The production of electrodes with higher bulk density requirements (except RP) and joint blanks need to be second baked, and the joint blanks need to be subjected to three impregnation and four baking or two impregnation and three baking.
Step 9
Graphitization
The purpose of graphitization is to improve the conductivity and torsion of the graphite electrodes, improve the impact resistance and chemical stability of the GE, make the GE have lubricity, abrasion resistance, remove impurities, and improve purity. Usually the RP graphite electrode graphitization temperature range: 2500-2600 degrees, resistance range 8-11; HP graphite electrode required graphitization temperature range: 2600-2800 degrees, resistance range 6-8; UHP graphite electrode required graphitization temperature range: 2800 degrees or more , The resistance range is below 6;
Step 10
Quality Test
After each batch of graphitized graphite electrodes and nipples, the samples will be sent to the laboratory for testing Resistence, Bending strength, Elastic modulus, Bulk density and Thermal expansivity, to ensure that the products meet the quality requirements.
Step 11
Machining
The purpose is to achieve the required size, shape, precision, etc., and meet the use requirements of the electrode body and nipples through cutting. Graphite electrode machining is divided into two independent processes, the electrode body and the nipples.
Step 12
Finished product and inspection
Finished product inspection process includes appearance, weight, length, diameter, resistence, bulk density inspection, etc.; packaging inspection is inspected according to customers’requirements to check the label and mark whether is correct, and the packaging if strong, etc.