HP Graphite Electrode
HP Graphite Electrode is an extruded, baked and graphitised high-power electrode to GB/T 3079 and JIS R7601, stocked as HP-300-400, HP-450-500 and HP-550-600 with matching nipple stock.
Reference datasheet — HP Graphite Electrode is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the HP-450-500 condition
HP Graphite Electrode tempers and conditions
HP Graphite Electrode is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. HP-450-500 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HP Φ550–600 mm electrode body | Large-diameter HP for big medium-power furnaces and submerged-arc/ore furnaces; slightly relaxed resistivity and strength limits because of the coarser green body. | 7 | 145 W/m·K | |||
HP-450-500Default HP Φ450–500 mm electrode body | Most widely traded HP size class for 50–90 t medium/high-power EAFs — the reference for HP price and property quotations. | 8 | 150 W/m·K | |||
HP Φ300–400 mm electrode body | Small/medium diameter HP electrode for 20–50 t medium-power EAF and ladle furnaces; tightest resistivity and strength limits of the HP family. | 8 | 155 W/m·K | |||
impregnated, high density | Choose for the threaded connecting pin: multiply impregnated and re-baked stock with much higher density, strength and lower resistivity than the electrode body. | 13 | 175 W/m·K |
What is HP Graphite Electrode?
HP Graphite Electrode is an extruded, baked and graphitised high-power electrode to GB/T 3079 and JIS R7601, stocked as HP-300-400, HP-450-500 and HP-550-600 with matching nipple stock. It suits medium-power arc and ferroalloy furnaces where current density does not justify needle-coke UHP material, with density 1.7 g/cm3, thermal conductivity 150 W/m·K, tensile strength 7.5 MPa, modulus 12 GPa and use to 3000 °C in non-oxidising conditions. Tensile strength is low and the body oxidises in air, so threads must be torqued correctly and side walls may need coating. Step up to UHP for high-current EAF duty, down to RP for low-power furnaces. HP Graphite Electrode has a density of 1.7 g/cm³ (0.0614 lb/in³), lighter than 93% of ceramic grades. It melts at 3,650°C (6,602 °F). HP Graphite Electrode has a tensile strength of 8 MPa (1.09 ksi), weaker than 94% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 12 GPa (1.74 Msi).
What is HP Graphite Electrode used for?
- medium-power EAF
- ferroalloy furnaces
- resistance furnaces
Advantages
- High service temperature — 3,000°C (5,432 °F), better than 100% of ceramic grades
- Easy to machine — 92/100, better than 97% of ceramic grades
- Lightweight — 1.7 g/cm³ (0.0614 lb/in³), better than 93% of ceramic grades
- Conducts heat well — 150 W/m·K (86.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of ceramic grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 12 GPa (1.74 Msi), worse than 89% of ceramic grades
- Low fracture toughness — 1 MPa·√m (0.91 ksi·√in), worse than 84% of ceramic grades
HP Graphite Electrode properties
Typical room-temperature values for HP Graphite Electrode-HP-450-500; bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical3
HP Graphite Electrode has a density of 1.7 g/cm³ (0.0614 lb/in³), lighter than 93% of ceramic grades. It melts at 3,650°C (6,602 °F).
Mechanical8
HP Graphite Electrode has a tensile strength of 8 MPa (1.09 ksi), weaker than 94% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 12 GPa (1.74 Msi).
Thermal5
HP Graphite Electrode is rated for continuous service to 3,000°C (5,432 °F). It conducts heat at 150 W/m·K (86.7 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 2 µm/m·K (1.11 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
HP Graphite Electrode has an electrical resistivity of 5.8×10⁻⁶ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), worse than 59% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of HP Graphite Electrode takes about 90 MJ of energy and emits 7 kg of CO₂ — less than 62% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.
Manufacturability2
HP Graphite Electrode's machinability is excellent (92/100, better than 97% of ceramic grades).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the ceramic family
Yield strength against density for every ceramic grade FabDigit runs. HP Graphite Electrode is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with HP Graphite Electrode
Is HP Graphite Electrode easy to machine?
Machines very easily dry with carbide or PCD tooling (no coolant, high speed, light feed); abrasive dust demands sealed enclosures and vacuum extraction, and edges chip readily.
Can HP Graphite Electrode be welded?
Not weldable — sections are joined by machined tapered 4TPI/3TPI threaded nipples with graphite cement, or bonded with carbonaceous adhesives.
Can HP Graphite Electrode be formed, bent or molded?
Produced only by extrusion of coke/pitch paste followed by baking, optional pitch impregnation and re-bake, then 2800–3000 °C graphitisation; no post-forming is possible.
HP Graphite Electrode chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| ashGB/T 3079 HP: ash ≤ 0.3 % | ≤ 0.3 | 0.2 |
| Sfrom petroleum/needle coke; drives puffing behaviour | 0.05 – 0.5 | 0.2 |
| volatile matterafter graphitisation | ≤ 0.2 | 0.1 |
| Cfixed carbon after graphitisation | ≥ 99 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on HP Graphite Electrode?
Turned to size and thread-machined; optional antioxidant ceramic/aluminium-phosphate coating or SiC coating reduces side-wall oxidation loss in EAF service.
How much does HP Graphite Electrode cost?
HP Graphite Electrode is a standard-cost ceramic ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
HP Graphite Electrode — frequently asked
What is HP Graphite Electrode used for?
HP Graphite Electrode is typically used for medium-power EAF, ferroalloy furnaces and resistance furnaces. In short: mid-range electrode grade; lower cost than UHP; 3000 °C non-oxidising service.
What is the tensile strength of HP Graphite Electrode?
HP Graphite Electrode has a typical tensile strength of 8 MPa (1.09 ksi) — weaker than 94% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is HP Graphite Electrode easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (92/100, better than 97% of ceramic grades). Machines very easily dry with carbide or PCD tooling (no coolant, high speed, light feed); abrasive dust demands sealed enclosures and vacuum extraction, and edges chip readily.
Can HP Graphite Electrode be welded?
Not weldable — sections are joined by machined tapered 4TPI/3TPI threaded nipples with graphite cement, or bonded with carbonaceous adhesives.
What surface finishes work on HP Graphite Electrode?
Turned to size and thread-machined; optional antioxidant ceramic/aluminium-phosphate coating or SiC coating reduces side-wall oxidation loss in EAF service.
Can HP Graphite Electrode be formed, bent or molded?
Produced only by extrusion of coke/pitch paste followed by baking, optional pitch impregnation and re-bake, then 2800–3000 °C graphitisation; no post-forming is possible.
What is the maximum service temperature of HP Graphite Electrode?
HP Graphite Electrode is rated for continuous use to about 3,000°C (5,432 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does HP Graphite Electrode cost?
HP Graphite Electrode is a standard-cost ceramic ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- GB/T 3079 (High-power graphite electrodes) (2019)
- JIS R 7601 Testing methods for carbon and graphite materials — JSA (2019)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.4 — Ceramics and Glasses (carbon/graphite section) — ASM International (1991)
- Graphite electrode HP grade technical data (typical Chinese/Japanese producer sheets) — Fangda / Kaifeng / Tokai COBEX (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.