Carbon Steel Versus Stainless Steel in the Design of Electrode Arms for UHP Electric Arc Furnaces

The operating temperatures due to eddy current induced heating effects in water-cooled electrode arms of three-phase ultrahigh powered (UHP) electric arc furnaces during operation are calculated. The selection of commonly used materials (carbon steel - SAE 1010 and stainless steel - 304) is examined with regard to optimum cooling water flow and safe allowable temperature increases. Calculated results are substantiated by temperature measurements conducted on the center-phase electrode arm and its water cooling system of a recently installed furnace in the field.