One of the benefits of buying from M. Brashem, Inc. is that we have the experience, expertise and the products that are required by our customers in the aluminum smelting and steel and iron processing industries.

 

For our customers looking for carbon blocks for furnaces, we offer a top selection of the types of blocks that are required. With our international suppliers, we are able to provide the type of blocks required for any furnace lining needs. All of our blocks are made by companies that are ISO 9001:2208 certified, which means complete quality control with every order.

 

There are several reasons to use the carbon and graphite blocks we offer at M. Brashem, Inc. Our sidewall blocks and cathode blocks are used specifically in support of many aluminum smelting operations across the United States.

 

A few of the reasons that customers choose our carbon blocks over the competition include:

 

• Resistance to hot metals – with the use of quality blocks for sidewalls and linings in aluminum smelting systems, the blocks actually have a high solubility resistant to the presence of the hot metal. This means that metal cannot penetrate the blocks as they have low porosity and a long-life cycle.

 

• Thermal resistance – heat is a major contributor to block failures and issues in the lining and sidewalls of furnaces. By using only top-quality carbon blocks, the life cycle is extended and the combination of fills, sealants and processes for producing the blocks provides for extended use even in the most extreme applications.

 

• On-hand inventory and reliable quality suppliers – with our inventory of carbon and graphite blocks, we are able to fill new orders and existing orders quickly and within our customer’s shipping requirements. We thoroughly screen and evaluate our suppliers to ensure they meet the quality specifications required to provide the best value (price and quality) for our customers.

 

Choosing to use M. Brashem, Inc. for all carbon and graphite blocks is a decision based on quality, availability and superior products. To place an order or to talk to our specialists, call us today at 1-800-274-2008.

Steel and iron processing facilities have several choices in suppliers for all of their products, materials, and supplies. At M. Brashem, Inc., we have been working in the industry since 1983. During that time, we have rapidly moved up to become one of the leading suppliers of graphite rods, graphite electrodes, as well as graphite blocks and graphite specialty products in North America, with sales around the world.

 

As a company, we choose to work only with the best and most reputable manufacturers for all of our graphite and carbon products. This means that our vendors and suppliers are ISO 9001:2008 certified. With this certification, we know that the quality of every part we order, including any custom graphite rods you require, are manufactured with internationally recognized and accepted processes.

Our Selection

Unlike some companies, we have several locations where we warehouse our products throughout the United States and Canada. This allows us to have the selection of graphite rods our customers need in a warehouse that is as close as possible to their location.

 

This can dramatically reduce the cost of shipping, making just-in-time delivery of rods a very cost-effective option to consider. By only ordering what is needed there is less investment in inventory, allowing for easier budgeting for production throughout the year.

 

In general, we specialize in supplying pre-formed graphite rods in several sizes, ranging from 3 to 6 inches in diameter. As a premier graphite rod supplier, if you want to shape graphite, we can provide a variety of differently sized rods that are suitable for many different industries. Each rod is made from high-caliber graphite and finished to a high standard.

Our Customer Service

The goal of the team at M. Brashem, Inc. has always been to develop strong working relationships with our suppliers as well as our customers. This ensures that we understand what our customers need and can convey that information to our suppliers to provide quality products and on-time delivery.

 

We work to keep the costs low for our customers, which is another benefit of working with M. Brashem, Inc. For more information or to discuss your graphite rod, graphite or carbon electrode or block needs, call us at 800-274-2008.

Graphite electrodes are the heart and soul of the modern-day arc furnace. It takes a special conductor to hold up to the extreme current demand placed on electrodes and pins. Proper handling and installation are essential for best performance. Here are some helpful tips from your graphite electrode supplier to keep your system in top shape.

Cleanliness

All connections and joints need to be completely clean and free of dust, dirt, and debris. Frequent inspections and cleanings with compressed air are important. During the inspection, check for damage or oxidation to end faces, threads, and other components. Check joints for tightness and signs of wear.

Circuits

Every electrical connection in the circuit has to be clean and tight, or it could create resistance that affects the performance of the electrode. Resistance can not only cause current loss, but it can also create heat where you don’t want it.

Electrode Types

Whether you use small or large diameter electrodes, you have several choices, such as:

 

• HP electrodes – high power
• SHP electrodes – super high power
• UHP electrodes – ultra high power
• HD electrodes – high density

 

Make sure to use the right graphite electrodes for the job.

Tips for Proper Installation

 

• Remove end cap and clean with a scraper
• Blow out the socket
• Thread the pin in all the way and then back it off a little (all pins but Center-Cet type)
• Install lift pin
• Air hose socket and end faces
• Put wishbone spacer in place
• Put in top electrode
• Clean joint before closing and contacts with air hose
• Move the electrode column to the right operating position

 

For more info on electrode handling and assembly, call your graphite and carbon electrodes specialists at M. Brashem Inc. at 1-800-274-2008 today.

M. Brashem, Inc. is a graphite electrode supplier to the iron and steel industries requiring different grades of electrodes for specific applications and processes. We are one of the few suppliers that maintain a significant on-hand inventory of UHP (Ultra-High Power) graphite electrodes for our customers across North America.

 

Graphite offers high thermal resistance and chemical inertness, among other properties, which make it an efficient material at elevated temperatures. This, coupled with metallic and non-metallic characteristics, makes it ideal as a base material for products in a wide range of industries. In addition to supplying graphite electrodes, M. Brashem, Inc. is a graphite material supplier.

 

We maintain a significant inventory of UHP graphite electrodes at our various shipping locations across the United States and Canada due to the increasing demand for these products in the market. The mining and automobile industries are on the uptick creating a greater need for raw materials in the form of smelting both scrap and raw metals.

 

The UHP Graphite Electrode Market

The market analysis shows that the CAGR (compound annual growth rate) for these electrodes will be 9.56% until the year 2023. This is almost a 10% growth rate, which is much higher than the growth expected for HP or High-Power electrodes or the RP or Regular Power.

 

In fact, the growth in UHP graphite electrodes accounts for about 67% of the entire graphite electrode market, with the biggest users being the Asia-Pacific countries followed by Europe.

 

In North America, there is an increased growth in the demand for these electrodes, which creates a better leverage for our team in working with our manufacturing partners. We can bring in large volumes of electrodes, which positions us as a top graphite electrode supplier.

 

With our network of manufacturers and our understanding of our customer’s requirements, we are able to bring in the best quality of supplies. This allows our customers to provide higher levels of energy efficiency in their plants, which is good for both their business as well as for the sustainability of the iron and steel, aluminum and other metallurgical industries.

 

For more information on the market and our ability to fill your orders for UHP graphite electrodes, contact us today at 800-274-2008.

While the graphite electrodes market may have seen a decline in the past, it is suspected that there are certain growth opportunities available in coming years. In fact, according to the global graphite electrodes market report for 2016 through 2020, exploring new opportunities in the high-growth sectors will help this industry experience robust growth rates. It is imperative for graphite electrode suppliers to learn what these opportunities are and then take advantage of them to ensure their continued success and growth.

Level of Growth Possible

During the period between 2016 and 2020 analysts have forecasted that the graphite electrodes market is going to grow at a CAGR of 10.16 percent. There are several end-user industries that are going to be key drivers for this market growth. These industries include: construction, infrastructure, mechanical machinery, and automation. With this information in mind, graphite electrode suppliers’ need to actively monitor these sectors to ensure their individual businesses follow the trend and continue to grow.

How are Graphite Electrodes Used?

Graphite electrodes are mainly used for manufacturing steel. The electrodes serve as conductors of electricity in a furnace and work to generate heat to melt scrap metal including iron ore, as well as other types of raw materials used to produce steel. The fact is, the graphite electrodes are the only items that have an electrical conductivity that is high enough and the ability to sustain higher levels of heat that are necessary for producing steel.

 

As you can see, the need for graphite electrodes is vast if companies know what industries to target. To learn more about the opportunities available now and in the future, you can visit the M. Brashem, Inc. website or call the helpful and friendly staff at 1-800-274-2008.

In February of 2009, specifically February 5th, the ITC (United States International Trade Commission) found that imports of small diameter electrodes from China posed an injury to US-based industries also producing these same size graphite electrodes.

 

After reviewing their findings, the trade commissioners determined there was an economic injury to some American manufacturers due to specific graphite electrode imports, which included any and all lengths and types of graphite electrodes from China that had a diameter ranging anywhere from 400 millimeters to 16 inches. Graphite pin joining systems for these electrodes also fell into this group, regardless if they were finished or unfinished.

 

The result of these findings was to establish an anti-dumping regulation, specifically targeted at small diameter electrodes.

 

Since then, the ITC voted on keeping the anti-dumping duty order in place on May 14, 2014. By a vote of 5-0 (with one commissioner abstaining), the original order was upheld. The commission indicated that revoking the order would likely cause a recurrence of injury to American companies for the foreseeable time.

 

The Impact on American Companies

The reality is that the primary supplier of these small diameter graphite electrodes (SDGE) in the United States is no longer producing these components. However, the anti-dumping duties are still in place, costing American companies money for every shipment brought in—like M. Brashem, Inc.

 

There are other companies in countries other than China that produce SDGE, but they tend to be more costly than comparable quality products. There are over 100 companies manufacturing SDGEs in China, so the greater competition keeps prices down.

 

While there is no doubt that the subsidized Chinese companies offer graphite electrodes at significantly low prices—below the nominal market value—to manipulate markets and prevent competition, it also ends up costing American companies that use the SDGE in their business. Without a primary producer in the United States (and no companies moving in to fill this market need) continuing with the high anti-dumping duties is not just hurting suppliers, it is impacting American companies as well.

It can be a complicated process trying to determine the benefits of different types of processing systems. One common dilemma is choosing between electronic arc furnaces (EAF) and blast furnaces.

 

There are benefits to both, but there can also be challenges with using one specific type of furnace and production method over the other. Understanding the differences is critical when considering changing an existing system or setting up a new plant.

 

Blast Furnaces

The blast furnace is perhaps the most iconic image and symbolizes the metal industry. The furnace system is very large and involves multiple components that are very open and visible. It is certainly not a new technology and can be dated back to ancient China where the same method was used on a smaller scale in the production of metals.

 

However, these furnaces work slightly differently than they did 2000 years ago. Today, coke is used to melt the iron ore to create pig iron. Oxygen is then used to further transform the pig iron into steel. This process requires a continual supply of coke as well as very large furnaces that produce high CO2 emissions.

 

Electric Arc Furnaces

Electric arc furnaces (EAF) tend to be much smaller and more efficient in their operation. They don’t need a constant supply of coke. Instead, they use electricity passed through graphite electrodes to create an arc. These graphite electrodes must be superior quality to ensure correct, current flow through the rods to create the arc.

 

The metal is placed in a vat or a shell that is also used in forming the arc with the graphite electrodes, raising the temperature to as high as 3000 degrees Celsius for an efficient melting process.

 

The metal used with EAF is typically scrap metal or iron ore, but there are other possibilities. Controlling the temperature within the system is easier than a blast furnace, something that is important for efficiency. Another advantage of using the EAF process is that all types of steel can be created, including specialized metals and products.

 

In some operations, carbon electrodes may also be used. These carbon electrodes are also used to carry a high current, so they also have outstanding thermal conductivity. The choice of carbon electrodes is often found when working with calcium carbide, phosphorous, ferroalloys, or in the production of silicon.

 

For many plants, the lower cost of setup and the lower time to complete the process makes the EAF a very smart choice vs. a blast furnace in many types of processing facilities.

There are some graphite material suppliers that provide products for a wide range of markets and sell thousands of items. At M. Brashem, Inc., we take a different approach to our business. Our Product Focus

 

We focus on providing carbon and graphite electrodes and materials for the steel industry and related applications. As this is a constantly evolving and changing industry, our specialization allows us to stay current and on the cutting edge of technology to ensure our products match the needs of our customers.

 

We specialize in smaller diameter graphite and carbon electrodes that are eighteen inches or less in diameter. We work with companies around the world to bring in quality products at the lowest possible prices. With our volume discounts and our direct working relationship with suppliers in China (as well as other areas of the world), we offer a top selection of the best in graphite and carbon materials.

 

Our Commitment to Customers

Whether you are a large customer or a smaller company, our goal is to provide you with the best customer service. When you first contact our staff at M. Brashem, Inc., you will be assigned to an Account Manager. This professional will be your one consistent point of contact and will take the time to get to not only understand your business, but also the exact specifications and requirements your application calls for.

 

With this personalized connection, we ensure that we have the supplies and inventory in stock to meet your needs. We specialize in on-time delivery… we have warehouses located throughout North America. Because we are located across the nation, we can minimize shipment times while providing a full range of consignment services and bailment inventory for companies of any size.

 

Our reach is not restricted to North America. At M. Brashem, Inc. we can also arrange for global shipments. Simply get in touch and let us work with you to find the quality and pricing for your next order of carbon graphite materials for the steel industry.

Steel recycling and the melting processes utilize a specialized piece of equipment called an arc furnace to melt and extract metals. In the middle of the heating process, large graphite electrodes carry high amounts of electricity and turn red-hot. But what are graphite electrodes and how are they manufactured?

 

Graphite Electrodes

If you are familiar with arc welding, you know that a current is passed from an electrode (rod) to the metal parts you want to weld. A welding rod (which is made from a material like steel or aluminum) may or may not contain a flux core. Friction from the electric current then heats the rod, melting it into the metal joint to form a strong weld.

 

In an arc furnace, however, the welding rods are much larger but serve the same basic principle. Large electrodes (made from carbon compounds) come in many different sizes, depending on the needs of the steel melt shop facility.

 

The Beginning of the Manufacturing Process

To begin the process, the raw materials are ground together. Next, they mix with a liquid pitch. Pitch is a tar type of resin, and when mixed with the raw materials, it forms a graphite mixture which is then placed into molds. The molds are then vibrated at high speeds to compact the mixture.

 

The Baking Process

The electrodes turn into pitch coke and bake, creating a solid electrode. To improve the texture, the electrodes enter an autoclave where they soak up the liquid pitch. After soaking, they bake again to solidify their composition.

 

The Completed Product

By baking the electrodes at 3000 degrees Celsius, they become graphite. In order to create a completed product, some machining (to customer specifications and needs) is typically needed.

 

Since electrodes are consumable materials, it’s important to have plenty on hand for your business, which is why we always supply high-quality graphite electrodes.