30+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN CARBON INDUSTRY

In electrode paste sales, we often encounter purchasing managers who are unfamiliar with this product—either new hires to the procurement department or buyers from trading companies with no prior experience in electrode paste. Therefore, when confirming purchase requirements, we usually need to clarify one key point with the buyer: the shape of the electrode paste. I've explained multiple times why it's essential to confirm the shape. The reason is that, in current production, electrode paste comes in various forms depending on each factory’s mold design and customer requirements. Common shapes include oval (goose egg), trapezoidal, cylindrical, and rod-shaped.

So, how do these different shapes affect their application in submerged arc furnaces? It's important to note that even if two batches of electrode paste are produced by the same manufacturer, they may differ in shape while having identical formulations. So why are there different shapes?

Regardless of shape, all electrode pastes are ultimately added into the furnace and self-baked into electrodes for heat generation. The primary reason for their varied shapes lies in differences in furnace design. Generally, oval and trapezoidal types are solid blocks of relatively small dimensions, typically around 7cm × 10cm × 12cm. Molds used for these shapes vary little among manufacturers. In contrast, rod-shaped paste is formed without a mold; after uniform mixing and kneading, the paste is extruded through a die. The size of the rods depends on the operator or machine settings at the extrusion outlet and is generally larger than oval or trapezoidal blocks. However, as long as the dimensions match the furnace requirements, they can still be used effectively.

The choice of electrode paste shape is determined by the internal rib structure within the furnace’s electrode sleeve. These ribs significantly influence the rate at which the paste descends—or more precisely, the baking speed of the electrode. Different rib configurations dictate the appropriate shape of the electrode paste.

Therefore, confirming the required shape of electrode paste before production is an essential step.