The consumption of graphite electrode in electric furnace steelmaking is mainly related to the quality of the electrode itself, but also related to the furnace condition and steelmaking operation.
 
Modern steelmaking methods mainly include converter steelmaking, flat furnace steelmaking and electric furnace steelmaking.
Flat furnace steelmaking method has been basically eliminated. The most fundamental difference between the electric furnace steelmaking method and the converter steelmaking method is that the electric furnace steelmaking method with electricity as the heat source, and the electric arc furnace steelmaking method is the most widely used electric furnace steelmaking method.
What we usually call electric furnace steelmaking, mainly refers to the electric arc furnace steelmaking, because induction furnace, electroslag furnace and other types of electric furnace steelmaking less amount.

Electric arc furnace steelmaking is a steelmaking method made by releasing an electric arc between the electrode and the furnace charge, converting electrical energy into heat energy in the arc, and then heating and melting the metal and slag under the direct action of radiation and electric arc. Various steels and alloys.

The consumption of graphite electrodes in electric steelmaking is mainly related to the quality of the electrodes themselves, but also to the condition of the furnace (e.g. new or old, with or without mechanical failures, continuous production or not, etc.). ) and the operation of steelmaking (e.g. steelmaking, oxygen blowing time, charging conditions, etc.).

Only the consumption of graphite electrode itself is discussed here, and the consumption mechanism is as follows.

1. End consumption
This includes the sublimation of graphite material caused by the high temperature of electric arc, and the loss of the electrode extremity by chemical reaction with the steel and slag.
The rate of high temperature sublimation at the end depends mainly on the current density through the electrode and is related to the diameter of the electrode after side oxidation.

2. Side oxidation
The chemical composition of the electrode is carbon, which is oxidized with air, water vapor and carbon dioxide under certain conditions. The amount of oxidation on the electrode side is related to the unit oxidation rate and the exposed area.
Generally the oxidation on the electrode side should account for about 50% of the total electrode consumption.
In recent years, in order to increase the smelting speed of electric furnaces, the frequency of oxygen blowing operations has been increased, resulting in increased electrode oxidation losses.
Reddening of the main stem and thinning of the lower end of the electrode are often observed during the steelmaking process.

3. Stump loss
When the electrode is used continuously up to the joint between the upper and lower electrodes, a small part of the electrode or joint (i.e. the stump) can break due to oxidation thinning of the body or infiltration of cracks.
The size of the residual loss is related to the joint shape snap, the internal structure of the electrode, the vibration and impact of the electrode column.

4. Surface flaking and peeling
During the smelting process, the electrode itself has poor thermal shock resistance.

5. Electrode fracture
Including electrode torso fracture and joint fracture.
Electrode fracture is related to the quality and processing of graphite electrodes and joints as well as steelmaking operation.