The advantages of graphite as an electrode material

What are the advantages of graphite materials over copper mold electrodes?

1、 More than 90% of electrode materials in Europe choose graphite as the electrode material. Copper, a once dominant electrode material, has almost disappeared from its advantages compared to graphite electrodes.

2、 The reason why graphite is used as an electrode:

1. Faster processing speed: Generally, the mechanical processing speed of graphite can be 2-5 times faster than that of copper; And the discharge machining speed is 2-3 times faster than copper;
2. The material is less prone to deformation: it has obvious advantages in the processing of thin rib electrodes; The softening point of copper is around 1000 degrees, which is prone to deformation due to heating; The sublimation temperature of graphite is 3650 degrees; The coefficient of thermal expansion is only 1/30 of that of copper.
3. Lighter weight: The density of graphite is only 1/5 of copper, and when using large electrodes for discharge machining, it can effectively reduce the burden on machine tools (EDM); More suitable for application on large molds.
4. Less discharge consumption; Due to the presence of C atoms in spark oil, during discharge machining, high temperatures cause the C atoms in spark oil to decompose and form a protective film on the surface of the graphite electrode, compensating for the loss of the graphite electrode.