Investigation of the TiO2/SiC/SiO2 Coating Effect On the Wear Rate of Needle Graphite Electrode by using Electrical Discharge Machining

Abstract

Needle graphite electrodes are one of the main parts used in electric arc furnaces. These electrodes have a significant impact on melt quality and product quality, and their consumption is one of the most important parameters of steel production cost in EAF furnaces. Therefore, reducing the consumption of needle graphite electrodes in these furnaces is very important. The main reasons for continuous use of needle graphite electrodes in arc furnaces are oxidation of the sidewalls and sublimation of their tips, and many solutions have been proposed to reduce them. In the present study, the effect of coating consisting of TiO2/SiC/SiO2 elements on the wear rate of the needle graphite electrode in the sublimation state is investigated using EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining- Spark device). For this purpose, the effect of voltage, current, pulse on time and pulse off time on the electrode wear rate are investigated and in this regard, Taguchi design method has been used to reduce the number of experiments. Based on the test results, TiO2/SiC/SiO2 coating reduces the wear rate of the needle graphite electrode due to sublimation.

Keywords

• electric arc furnace
• electrode consumption
• electrical discharge machining
• electrode coating
• needle graphite electrode
• oxidation
• sublimation