Graphite for Steelmaking | Artificial graphite

Artificial graphite, also known as high-temperature graphite, is obtained by heat treatment in an electric furnace. It has many forms and is widely used in the metallurgical industry. It has better properties than natural graphite. The degree of development of artificial graphite crystals depends on the raw materials and the heat treatment temperature. The higher the heat treatment temperature, the higher the degree of graphitization. The production process includes four steps of crushing, granulation, graphitization and screening. Compared with natural graphite, artificial graphite has weaker heat transfer performance, electrical conductivity, lubricity and plasticity, but it has the advantages of wear resistance, corrosion resistance and low permeability.

The use of artificial graphite in steelmaking

(1) It can be used as a recarburizer when used in the steelmaking industry. Artificial graphite for steelmaking recarburizers is still one of the main uses of earthy graphite worldwide.

(2) Used for steelmaking electrodes. When smelting various alloy steels and iron alloys, artificial graphite electrodes are used. At this time, a strong current is introduced into the smelting zone of the electric furnace through the electrodes to generate an arc, convert the electric energy into heat energy, and the temperature rises to about 2000 ℃, so as to achieve smelting or reaction. the goal of.

(3) Used as a recarburizer. It can improve the performance of steel, and under vacuum conditions, the deoxidation ability of carbon will be greatly improved. Used in large quantities in steelmaking.

The field of artificial graphite

(1) In the metallurgical industry, natural flake graphite can be used to produce refractory materials such as magnesia-carbon bricks and aluminum-carbon bricks because of its good oxidation resistance. Artificial graphite can be used as a steelmaking electrode, but electrodes made of natural graphite are difficult to use in steelmaking electric furnaces with harsh operating conditions.

(2) In the machinery industry, artificial graphite materials are usually used as wear-resistant and lubricating materials. The equipment for conveying corrosive media widely uses piston rings, sealing rings and bearings made of artificial graphite, and does not need to add lubricating oil during operation. The wear resistance of natural graphite and polymer resin composites is not as good as that of artificial graphite.

(3) In the chemical industry, artificial graphite has the characteristics of corrosion resistance, good thermal conductivity and low permeability. It is widely used in the chemical industry to make heat exchangers, reaction tanks, absorption towers, filters and other equipment. The thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance of natural graphite and polymer resin composite materials are inferior to those of artificial graphite.

Although there are many kinds of negative electrode materials, artificial graphite materials are still the main materials. The production process of artificial graphite is more complicated and can be used in many fields. In the field of batteries, artificial graphite has better performance than natural graphite, but the price is also high. In the future economic development, artificial graphite has its own irreplaceable market.