Graphite Electrodes

In the steelmaking process, iron scrap gets melted in an electric arc furnace and recycled. Graphite electrodes, a kind of conductor, are an essential component in this kind of furnace. They can melt scrap at a temperature of about 1600℃.

What are Graphite Electrodes?

Did you know that there are two ways to make iron? The blast furnace method and the electric arc furnace method. The electric arc furnace method recycles used iron scrap by melting it in an electric arc furnace. It is the graphite electrodes inside the furnace that actually melt the iron. Graphite has high thermal conductivity and is very resistant to heat and impact. It also has low electrical resistance, which means it can conduct the large electrical currents needed to melt iron. In recent years, graphite electrodes have been made even more efficient: they can now conduct even higher currents and more power. Using the expertise collected over a century of innovation, Tokai Carbon has developed the world's biggest electrodes. They measure 32 inches (about 80 cm) in diameter and are 3 meters long. Tokai Carbon's graphite electrodes are made to last, making them a trusted name in the industry.

The world's biggest graphite electrodes, 32 inches in diameter

Iron and Steel Products

Recycled iron and steel are used in a wide range of industries and products.

Graphite Electrodes Varieties

For DC Furnaces (direct current furnaces) / Size: 22-32 inches

Electrodes for DC furnaces, which require 1 column of graphite electrodes. High maximum current density. The diameter of these electrodes is getting bigger: the current maximum diameter is 32 inches (800 mm).

For AC Furnaces (alternating current furnaces) / Size: 16-28 inches.

Alternating current furnaces require 3 columns of graphite electrodes. They mostly use 20-28 inch electrodes, the standard size in electric furnaces.

For LF Furnaces (refining furnaces) / Size: 10-18 inches

These electrodes are for refining materials like molten steel. LF Furnaces have a smaller capacity than DC.

Guide to Graphite Electrodes

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  Unit AC Furnace DC Furnace
350~450mm
14"~18"
500~700mm
20"~28
550~800mm
22"~32"
Features RP UHP UHP UHP
Bulk density g/cm3 1.58~1.70 1.65~1.76 1.66~1.74 1.68~1.75
Specific resistance μΩm 6.0~8.5 4.5~6.5 4.5~6.5 4.2~5.5
Young's modulus kN/mm2 8~12 11~16 9~14 9~13
GPa 8~12 11~16 9~14 9~13
kgf/mm2 800~1,200 1,100~1,650 950~1,400 900~1,300
Bending strength N/cm2 1,000~1,400 1,200~1,800 1,000~1,500 1,000~1,500
MPa 10~14 12~18 10~15 10~15
kgf/cm2 100~140 120~180 100~150 100~150
Thermal expansion coefficient
(R.T. to 400°C)
×10-6/゚C 0.8~1.5 0.8~1.5 0.5~1.0 0.5~0.9
×10-6/゚F 0.4~0.8 0.4~0.8 0.3~0.6 0.3~0.5
True density g/cm3 2.20~2.23 2.20~2.23 2.20~2.23 2.20~2.23
Total porosity 23~29 20~26 21~26 20~25
Ash content Less than 0.2 Less than 0.2 Less than 0.2 Less than 0.2

Size/Weight Chart

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Name Pole diameter Pole length Pole weight (reference value)
Diameter x length Maximum Minimum Maximum Minimum Pole product weight (excluding nipple)
inch mm mm mm mm mm kg
14×60 350×1500 357 352 1550 1400 253
14×72 350×1800 1875 1700; 304
14×96 350×2400 2475 2275 406
16×60 400×1500 409 403 1550 1400 334
16×72 400×1800 1875 1700 395
16×96 400×2400 2475 2275 532
18×72 450×1800 460 454 1875 1700 496
18×96 450×2400 2475 2275 665
18×110 450×2700 2850 2550 766
20×72 500×1800 511 505 1875 1700 614
20×84 500×2100 2175 1975 715
20×96 500×2400 2475 2275 824
20×110 500×2700 2850 2550 927
22×84 550×2100 562 556 2175 1975 873
22×96 550×2400 2475 2275 995
24×84 600×2100 613 607 2175 1975 1040
24×96 600×2400 2475 2275 1190
24×110 600×2700 2850 2550 1340
26×110 650×2700 663 657 2850 2550 1580
28×110 700×2700 714 708 2850 2550 1830
30×110 750×2700 765 759 2850 2550 2060
32×110 800×2700 816 810 2850 2550 2450
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