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HP Graphite Electrode HP-550-600

Grade

HP-550-600 = 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.

Standard cost $$

Values for the HP-550-600 condition

Other HP Graphite Electrode tempers and conditions

HP Graphite Electrode is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at HP Graphite Electrode.

Compare all 4 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
HP-550-600This page
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-550-600?

HP Graphite Electrode HP-550-600 is HP Graphite Electrode in the HP-550-600 grade — 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. HP Graphite Electrode HP-550-600 has a tensile strength of 7 MPa (1.02 ksi), weaker than 95% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 11 GPa (1.6 Msi). HP Graphite Electrode HP-550-600 has a density of 1.68 g/cm³ (0.0607 lb/in³), lighter than 94% of ceramic grades. It melts at 3,650°C (6,602 °F). HP-450-500 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; HP-550-600 is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High service temperature — 3,000°C (5,432 °F), better than 100% of ceramic grades
  • Lightweight — 1.68 g/cm³ (0.0607 lb/in³), better than 94% of ceramic grades
  • Easy to machine — 90/100, better than 94% of ceramic grades
  • Conducts heat well — 145 W/m·K (83.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of ceramic grades

Limitations

  • Low stiffness — 11 GPa (1.6 Msi), worse than 91% of ceramic grades
  • Low fracture toughness — 1 MPa·√m (0.91 ksi·√in), worse than 84% of ceramic grades

HP Graphite Electrode HP-550-600 properties

Typical room-temperature values for HP Graphite Electrode HP-550-600; 11 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are HP Graphite Electrode reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among ceramic grades.

Physical3

HP Graphite Electrode HP-550-600 has a density of 1.68 g/cm³ (0.0607 lb/in³), lighter than 94% of ceramic grades. It melts at 3,650°C (6,602 °F).

Density1.68 g/cm³0.06 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)3,650°C6,602 °F
Porosity24%

Mechanical8

HP Graphite Electrode HP-550-600 has a tensile strength of 7 MPa (1.02 ksi), weaker than 95% of ceramic grades. The elastic modulus is 11 GPa (1.6 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus11 GPa1.6 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.2
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)7 MPa1 ksi
Compressive Strength23 MPa3.3 ksi
Flexural Strength11 MPa1.6 ksi
Shear Strength6 MPa0.87 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)1 MPa·√m0.91 ksi·√in
Hardness, Mohs1.5

Thermal5

HP Graphite Electrode HP-550-600 is rated for continuous service to 3,000°C (5,432 °F). It conducts heat at 145 W/m·K (83.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 93% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 2.2 µm/m·K (1.22 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity145 W/m·K83.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity710 J/kg·K0.17 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)2.2 µm/m·K1.2 µin/in·°F
Max Service Temperature (continuous)3,000°C5,432 °F
Min Service Temperature-200°C-328 °F

Electrical2

HP Graphite Electrode HP-550-600 has an electrical resistivity of 6.2×10⁻⁶ Ω·m.

Electrical Resistivity6.2×10⁻⁶ Ω·m244 µΩ·in
Volume Resistivity6.2×10⁻⁴ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental2

Corrosion resistance is very good (70/100), worse than 59% of ceramic grades.

Corrosion ResistanceVery good70/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryInert to nearly all acids, alkalis, molten salts and organic media at RT; attacked by strong oxidisers (HNO₃, chromic acid), by air/CO₂/steam above ~400–700 °C, and forms carbides with Ti, Zr, W and molten Fe/Ni at high temperature.

Sustainability3

Producing a kilogram of HP Graphite Electrode HP-550-600 takes about 90 MJ of energy and emits 7 kg of CO₂ — less than 62% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 5%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)90 MJ/kg38,693 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)7 kg CO₂/kg
Typical Recycled Content5%

Manufacturability2

HP Graphite Electrode HP-550-600's machinability is excellent (90/100, better than 94% of ceramic grades).

MachinabilityExcellent90/100
Sintering / Firing Temperature2,900°C5,252 °F

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with HP Graphite Electrode HP-550-600

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.

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.

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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
ashGB/T 3079 HP: ash ≤ 0.3 %≤ 0.30.2
Sfrom petroleum/needle coke; drives puffing behaviour0.05 – 0.50.2
volatile matterafter graphitisation≤ 0.20.1
Cfixed carbon after graphitisation≥ 99 (balance)—

HP Graphite Electrode HP-550-600 — frequently asked

What is HP Graphite Electrode HP-550-600 used for?

HP Graphite Electrode HP-550-600 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-550-600?

HP Graphite Electrode HP-550-600 has a typical tensile strength of 7 MPa (1.02 ksi) — weaker than 95% of ceramic grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.

Is HP Graphite Electrode HP-550-600 easy to machine?

Yes — machinability is rated excellent (90/100, better than 94% 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 HP-550-600 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 HP-550-600?

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 HP-550-600 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-550-600?

HP Graphite Electrode HP-550-600 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.

Sources

  1. GB/T 3079 (High-power graphite electrodes) (2019)
  2. JIS R 7601 Testing methods for carbon and graphite materials — JSA (2019)
  3. ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol.4 — Ceramics and Glasses (carbon/graphite section) — ASM International (1991)
  4. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.