What is a Graphite Electrode and How is it Involved in the Steel Making Process?

All of us must know steel. We use it in yourto the reaction with oxygen to become CO, CO2.
everyday life. But have you ever wondered howThe oxidation of electrodes starts at 500oC and
to produce it? And what does it take to produceaccelerates its speed at 800oC (inside the
it? Basically the steel is produced in a big factoryfurnace). Consumption of graphite electrodes by
and it is cooked in a giant stove called furnace.sublimation occurs at 3400o. The speed of
And the cooking itself takes so many ingredientssublimation is proportional to the increase of
in it.current density.
The Blast Furnace and Electric Arc FurnaceMeanwhile, use of quality GE results in
methods are the two major techniques forcontributions to saving energy and environmental
producing iron and steel products. Scrap melting isconservation. Electric arc furnaces, with the main
the major process utilizing Electric Arc Furnaces.function of recycling steel scraps, help promote
Recently, industry competition has becomereuse of steel products.
increasingly intense, elevating the need for a muchProduction organization of graphite electrodes can
more efficient melting process. Capacities of thebe divided as 10 stages as follows:
transformers are getting larger and electric
furnaces are growing larger worldwide. In this1. Raw material transporting
manufacturing environment, graphite materials2. Kneading
that have durability for larger-power operation are3. Extruding
needed much more for the use as Graphite4. Baking
Electrode (GE).5. Pitch Impregnation
GE are made from carbon. Carbon is a nonmetal6. Re-Baking
element with an atomic number of 6 and the7. Graphitization
atomic symbol "C". Carbon is the base of organic8. Machining
chemistry, closely related to organic matter and9. Inspection
life activity. Manufacturing excellent graphite10. Shipment
electrodes requires quality materials that areThe standard sizes for graphite electrodes are
strictly selected.from diameter 10" (inch) to 30"(inch) and from
Graphite has a higher heat transfer rating,length of 60"(inch) to 110"(inch). The weights are
resistance to higher temperatures, and has moreranging from 123 Kgs (10" x 60") to 2060 Kgs
strength against thermal shock than other(30" x 110").
materials. Moreover, it excels in machinability toThe major producer countries for graphite
meet the requirements for a broader range ofelectrodes are Japan, United States, German,
dimensions. Thus, graphite is the optimum materialChina and India. While the major consumer
for scrap-melting electrodes.countries are China, Japan, German, India, United
GE are easily consumed at high temperatures dueStates and Indonesia.