The main use of graphite electrodes is to transport the electrical energy used to melt scrap iron and steel for electric arc furnaces, which are the vast majority of steel furnaces. They are made by mixing petroleum coke with coal tar pitch. Because the graphite electrode paste is a solid material, it is called a dry lubricant. It has some useful applications in electricity because it belongs to the category of non-metals and is therefore a good conductor of electricity. In addition, graphite is mainly used in refractories.

In the 1960s, copper was widely used as the electrode data, the usage rate was about 90%, and graphite only about 10%; In the 21st century, graphite as electrode data is understood and used by more people, in Europe, more than 90% of the electrode data is graphite. Copper, once the dominant electrode material, has lost all its advantages over graphite. What has caused this dramatic change?

(1) Graphite is easier to grind and polish; Because graphite has only 1/5 of the cutting resistance of copper, it is easier to grind and polish by hand.

(2) The processing speed of graphite is faster, the processing speed of general graphite electrode is 3~5 times faster than that of ordinary metal, and the choice of the suitable hardness of the tool and graphite can reduce the wear of the tool and the loss of the motor

(3) Lower data costs and more stable prices; Due to the rising price of copper in recent years, isotropic graphite is generally cheaper than copper. Under the same volume, the general price of graphite products is 30% ~ 60% lower than copper, the price is relatively stable, and the short-term price is very small.

(4) No burr; Copper electrode needs to stop manual dressing to remove burrs after processing, while graphite processing without burrs, saves a lot of costs, easier to complete automatic consumption.

(5) Lightweight: graphite density as long as copper 1/5, large electrode stop discharge treatment, can effectively reduce the load of machine tools (EDM); More suitable for large mold application.

As a good conductor, graphite is widely used in electric arc furnace electrodes. When it comes to de-localization within the carbon layer, it conducts electricity due to a large number of electrons present. This phenomenon is called aromatic. This is mainly due to the free movement of valence electrons. It is this advantage that graphite has gradually replaced copper as the first choice for electrode data in EDM. With its performance advantages, graphite has played a great role in many industries.