While some components of any industry and operation are interchangeable, this is not the case with all components and materials. For example, there are many different options and factors to consider when choosing graphite electrodes for use in the steel and iron industry.
In general, graphite is the material of choice for electrodes that are used with electric arc furnaces. They offer several properties that make them the ideal choice. These properties or characteristics include:
* Relatively low cost
* Relatively long-life cycles
* High levels of electrical conductivity
* Ability to withstand the extreme temperatures that are present in the process and the furnace
In general, these are a variety of different factors that will go into the choice of the right electrode for any application. Matching the electrode to the demand of the process will be critical, but so will choose a reputable and reliable supplier.
Quality Considerations
Not graphite electrodes are manufactured equally, with many on the market that are substandard with regards to quality and manufacturing processes.
This will result in inconsistencies within the electrode that impact the electrical conductivity as well as the ability to stand up to the extreme temperatures.
When poor quality graphite electrodes are used, they have a very short life cycle. This results in not just the cost of having to replace the electrodes much more frequently, but also in lowering overall processing capabilities for iron and steel.
Always ensure the supplier in North America is purchasing electrodes and other graphite materials from ISO09001:2008 certified companies overseas. This ensures quality standards are met with every order.
Grades Available
Depending on the type of electric arc furnace in use and the specific application, there can be a range of different grades of electrodes to consider. UHP or ultra-high power, as well as SHP or super high power, are most commonly used, with fewer operations using the HD (high density) or HP (high power) electrodes.