Measurement of the dimension changes of carbon artifacts during graphitization in a pilot LWG furnace

Abstract

The pilot lengthwise graphitization (LWG) furnace designed and operated by R&D Carbon Ltd is a high temperature pressure dilatometer. The equipment is suitable either for research purposes or for checking industrial baked carbon artifacts (electrodes / cathodes) which have to resist to the thermal stress created in the full size LWG process. Unlike conventional high temperature dilatometers, this equipment offers the possibility to test cylindrical specimens of large size (Ø 50 x 500mm) and this under pressure. This pilot testing gives helpful information for the optimization of the power profile in the industrial furnaces aiming to maximize the productivity and minimizing the scrap rate of the end products.