Is Graphite a Substitute For Copper As a Discharge Material?

As a graphite products supplier, I'd like to introduce it to you.

The Advantages of Graphite Over Copper

Graphite Electrodes

Fast Processing Speed

Generally speaking, the processing speed of graphite is 2-5 times faster than that of copper, and the electrical discharge processing speed is 2-3 times faster than that of copper. Graphite electrodes are mainly made of petroleum coke and needle coke as raw materials, coal tar pitch as a binder, and are made through calcination, batching, kneading, pressing, roasting, graphitization, and machining. It releases electric energy in the form of an electric arc in an electric arc furnace. The conductors that heat and melt the charge can be classified into ordinary power, high power and ultra-high power according to their quality indicators. Graphite electrodes mainly include four types of ordinary power graphite electrodes, anti-oxidation coating graphite electrodes, high-power graphite electrodes and ultra-high-power graphite electrodes. Graphite block is a kind of artificial graphite, and artificial graphite is made by artificial heating of coke products. Generally, if it is purified to make high-purity or carbon fiber, the added value is high. Graphite rods are often used as electric heating elements in high-temperature vacuum furnaces. The maximum operating temperature can reach 3000°C. It is easy to oxidize at high temperatures. Except for vacuum, it can only be used in neutral or reducing atmospheres. Its thermal expansion coefficient is small, thermal conductivity is large, resistivity is (8~13)×10-6 Ω·m, processability is better than SiC, MoSi2 rod, high temperature resistance, extreme cold and extreme heat resistance, good price Cheaper.

Non-deformable

The material is unlikely to deform like copper. The softening point of copper is about 1000 degrees, and it is easily deformed by heat. The sublimation temperature of graphite is 3650 degrees, and the thermal expansion coefficient is only 1/30 of copper.

Lightweight

The density of graphite is only one-fifth of copper. The use of EDM to process large electrodes can effectively reduce the burden on the machine tool.

Less Consumption in the Discharge Process

because there is no spark oil that contains C atoms, during the electric discharge machining, the high temperature environment causes the C atoms in the spark oil to be decomposed and analyzed, and then can be formed on the surface of the graphite electrode in China A protective film compensates for the loss of graphite electrodes.

No Burr

the copper electrode needs to be trimmed manually to remove the burr after the processing is completed, and there is no burr after the graphite processing, which saves a lot of cost and makes it easier to realize automated production;

Easy to Grind

As an electrode, graphite is easier to be ground and polished; since the cutting resistance of graphite in my country is only 1/5 of that of copper, it is easier to perform traditional manual grinding and polishing;

Low Cost

Material costs are reduced and prices are stable; with the increase in copper prices in recent years, the price of isotropic graphite is now lower than that of copper. In the same quantity, the price of carbon-carbon general-purpose graphite products is 30% to 60% lower than that of copper, the price is more stable, and short-term price fluctuations are small.

SINOMETAL has the graphite electrodes of high quality, welcome to consult!