The main types of graphite electrodes

(1) Natural graphite electrode. Natural graphite electrodes are electrodes produced using natural flake graphite as raw materials. Coal tar pitch is added to natural graphite, and after kneading, molding, roasting and machining, natural graphite electrodes can be prepared. Its resistivity is relatively high, generally 15-20μΩ.m. The biggest disadvantage of natural graphite electrodes is low mechanical strength. It is easy to break during actual use.

(2) Artificial graphite electrode. Using petroleum coke or pitch coke as solid aggregate and coal tar pitch as binder, the artificial graphite electrode can be prepared through kneading, molding, roasting, graphitization and machining. Artificial graphite electrodes are high-temperature resistant graphite conductive materials. According to different raw materials and production processes, graphite electrodes with different physical and chemical properties can be prepared and divided into ordinary power graphite electrodes, high power graphite electrodes and ultra-high power graphite electrodes.

(3) Graphite electrode with anti-oxidation coating. The anti-oxidation coating graphite electrode adopts the "alternating spraying-melting method" or "solution dipping method" to form an anti-oxidation coating on the surface of the processed graphite electrode to achieve the purpose of reducing the oxidation consumption of the graphite electrode. Because the coating increases the price of graphite electrodes, and there are some problems in its use.

(4) Water-cooled composite graphite electrode. The water-cooled composite graphite electrode is a conductive electrode used after the graphite electrode is combined with a special steel pipe. The double-layer steel pipe at the upper end is cooled by water, and the graphite electrode at the lower end is connected to the steel pipe through a water-cooled metal joint. The electrode holder is located on the steel pipe. This greatly reduces the external surface area of the graphite electrode exposed to the air, thereby reducing the oxidation consumption of the electrode.

(5) Hollow graphite electrode. Hollow graphite electrodes are hollow electrodes. This product is prepared by directly pressing the electrode into a hollow tube during forming or drilling in the center of the electrode during processing. The other production processes are the same as those of ordinary graphite electrodes. The hollow area channels for producing hollow graphite electrodes can also be used for adding alloy materials and other materials required for steelmaking or passing required gases.

(6) Regenerated graphite electrode. The recycled graphite electrode is prepared by using recycled artificial graphite scraps and powder as raw materials, adding coal tar pitch, kneading, forming, roasting and machining. Compared with coke-based graphite electrodes, its resistivity is too large and its performance indicators are poor.