Graphite electrode knowledge

Graphite electrodes are mainly made of petroleum coke and needle coke as raw materials and coal pitch as a binding agent. They are made through calcination, batching, kneading, molding, roasting, graphitization, and machining. They are conductors that release electric energy in the form of arcs to heat and melt the charge in an electric arc furnace. According to their quality indicators, they can be divided into ordinary power, high power, and ultra-high power.

1. Graphite electrodes that are exposed to moisture must be dried before use.
2. Remove the foam plastic protective cap on the spare graphite electrode hole and check whether the internal thread of the electrode hole is complete.
3. Use oil- and water-free compressed air to clean the surface of the spare graphite electrode and the threads in the hole; avoid cleaning with steel wire or metal brush, emery cloth.
4. Carefully screw the connector into the electrode hole at one end of the spare graphite electrode (it is not recommended to install the connector directly into the replaced electrode from the furnace), and do not collide with the thread.
5. Screw the electrode spreader (it is recommended to use a graphite spreader) into the electrode hole at the other end of the spare electrode.
6. When lifting the electrode, place a soft object under the end of the spare electrode connector to prevent the ground from damaging the connector; use a hook to insert the lifting ring of the spreader and lift it. The electrode must be lifted smoothly to prevent the electrode from loosening from end B or colliding with other fixed devices.
7. Lift the spare electrode above the electrode to be connected, align it with the electrode hole and then slowly drop it; rotate the spare electrode so that the spiral hook rotates and descends with the electrode; when the two electrode ends are 10-20mm apart, use compressed air again to clean the two end faces of the electrode and the exposed parts of the joint; when finally lowering the electrode completely, do not use too much force, otherwise the threads of the electrode hole and joint will be damaged due to violent collision.
8. Use a torque wrench to tighten the spare electrode until the end faces of the two electrodes are in close contact (the correct connection gap between the electrode and the connector is less than 0.05mm).

Graphite is very common in nature, and graphene is the strongest substance known to mankind, but it may still take scientists years or even decades to find a way to convert graphite into large, high-quality graphene "films" that can be used to make a variety of useful substances for humans. According to scientists, in addition to being extremely strong, graphene also has a series of unique properties. Graphene is also the material with the best electrical conductivity currently known, which gives it great application potential in the field of microelectronics. Researchers even see graphene as an alternative to silicon for future supercomputers.