Graphite electrodes are used in electronic arc melting furnace (EAF). Because of the need of manufacture and use, the electrodes used in practice are longer, which are connected by several short electrodes through conical graphite joints. The connection quality between graphite electrodes directly affects the energy utilization rate of electric arc furnace and normal smelting work. In order to ensure a good working condition, it is very important to control the torque when graphite electrodes are installed and replaced. And the correct tightening of carbon and graphite electrodes is known to increase the efficiency of energy arc furnaces.
There are many tools for tightening electrodes in the smelting industry. Two iron clamps are usually used to clamp one electrode to tighten the electrode. In this way, the tightening force mainly depends on the experience of teachers. A series of special torque wrenches for graphite electrodes developed by the Institute of Compact Torque Tools, Xi’an University of Technology. With the advantages of foreign products, its torque control is more accurate and its structure is more reasonable. The appearance of this product ended the history of technology and experience when graphite electrodes were installed and replaced in smelting, which provided convenience for the safety and efficiency of smelting industry.
In order to ensure that the electrodes are in good working condition, requirements are as follows: 1. The threads of the connection are intact and undamaged (the responsibility of the electrodes manufacturer), and there is no dust and debris at the connection; 2. The torque used to tighten the electrodes should not be too large or too small, and there should be an optimal value. Torque too large electrode is easy to twist, or cause internal damage (internal cracks); if the torque too small, it may cause poor contact at the electrode junction and generate arc, which makes the contact reddish and oxidize sharply, thin and break (also affect the energy utilization rate). Therefore, when graphite electrodes are installed and replaced, it is very important to control the torque.
