Metallurgical casting industry

Graphite products are widely applied in the metallurgical and foundry industries, leveraging their high-temperature resistance, strong chemical stability, excellent thermal conductivity, and superior self-lubricating properties to become key materials for enhancing production efficiency, product quality, and equipment longevity:

I. Metallurgical Industry: Refractory Materials and Conductive Core Components

1. Core Refractory Components

•Graphite Crucibles: As the primary vessels for metal melting, graphite crucibles withstand extreme temperatures (e.g., exceeding 1,200°C during melting of non-ferrous metals like copper and aluminum). Their low thermal expansion prevents cracking under high heat, while thermal shock stability ensures structural integrity during repeated heating and cooling cycles. Superior thermal conductivity promotes uniform metal heating, boosting melting efficiency.

2. Critical Conductive Materials

•Graphite Electrodes: In electric arc furnace steelmaking, graphite electrodes generate intense arcs by conducting high currents, converting electrical energy into heat (temperatures exceeding 3,000°C) for metal melting. Their high electrical conductivity, heat resistance, and chemical stability ensure stable long-term operation while minimizing electrode consumption.

•Electrolytic Cell Anodes: During electrolysis of metals like aluminum (and magnesium), graphite anodes serve as conductive cores, enduring electrolyte corrosion while sustaining efficient electrolytic reactions.

II. Foundry Industry: Mold Optimization and Process Enhancement

1. Upgraded Mold Material Performance

•Graphite Molds: Utilizing graphite’s low coefficient of thermal expansion (1/5 to 1/10 that of metals), these molds maintain dimensional stability during casting, significantly improving casting accuracy and surface finish. This reduces post-processing requirements by delivering near-net-shape components.

2. Carburizers and Process Aids

•Carburizers: Adding graphite powder during casting precisely adjusts carbon content in molten iron, enhancing mechanical properties of castings (e.g., tensile strength).

III. Technological Advantages and Industry Impact

1. Enhanced Production Efficiency

• The high-temperature resilience of graphite crucibles and electrodes shortens melting cycles.

• The precision and low defect rates of graphite molds reduce scrap rates.

2. Cost Reduction and Resource Conservation

• Graphite electrodes outperform copper electrodes in conductivity (reducing power consumption by 15–20%) while being lighter, cutting transportation and installation costs.

• Graphite carburizers enable precise carbon control, minimizing waste and improving metal yield (e.g., increasing iron casting recovery rates by 5–8%).

3. Driving Technological Innovation

• High-purity graphite (≥99.9% fixed carbon) is used in single-crystal silicon growth crucibles for semiconductor manufacturing, supporting advanced electronics development.