Steel mills often use graphite electrodes supplied by different manufacturers. When multiple products are mixed during steel making, it not only makes it difficult for the steel mill to track the consumption of each individual product but also leads to differences in the physical and chemical properties and processing tolerances of the electrodes and joints due to variations in raw materials and manufacturing processes among different manufacturers. Therefore, the tolerance variations that occur during mixed use can easily lead to electrode detachment and breakage.
The correct usage approach is to use the products of a single manufacturer separately and, after completion, switch to the products of another manufacturer, minimizing the number of times different manufacturers’ electrodes are replaced. Electrodes from the same manufacturer should be used with joints from the same manufacturer to prevent mixing.