Steel recycling and melting processes use special equipment called electric arc furnaces to melt and extract metals. During the heating process, large graphite electrodes carry large amounts of current and turn red. But what are graphite electrodes and how are they made?Graphite electrode manufacturers share with you.

Graphite Electrodes

If you are familiar with arc welding, you know that current flows from the electrodes (rods) to the metal parts to be welded. The electrode (made of a material such as steel or aluminum) may or may not contain a flux core. The current then creates friction that heats the electrode and melts it into a metal joint, forming a solid weld.

In an electric arc furnace, however, the electrodes are larger but the basic principle is the same. Large electrodes (made of carbon compounds) are available in a variety of sizes, depending on the steel shop facilities.

700mm UHP Graphite Electrode

Start of the manufacturing process

First, the raw materials are ground together. Next, they are mixed with liquid asphalt. The asphalt, a tar-like resin, is mixed with the raw materials to form a graphite mixture, which is then placed in a mold. The molds are then vibrated at high speed to compact the mixture.

Baking Process

The electrodes are turned into tar and baked to form solid electrodes. To improve the texture, the electrodes go into an autoclave where it absorbs the liquid asphalt. After soaking, they are baked again to cure the composition.

The finished product

By baking the electrodes at 3000 degrees Celsius, they are transformed into graphite. In order to create the finished product, some processing is usually required (depending on the customer's specifications and needs).

Since electrodes are expendable materials, it is important to have a large inventory for your business, which is why we always offer high quality graphite electrodes.