Effects of Coke and Formulation Variables on Cracking of Bench Scale Prebaked Anode Specimens

Abstract

Bench scale anodes were prepared using a number of calcined cokes, aggregate sizings, and pitch levels and, after baking, tested for thermal shock resistance and flexural strength. Thermal shock resistance rose with increasing coke real density, while flexural strength tended to improve with increasing coke bulk density. With coarser aggregate sizings, a pitch level resulting in maximum baked apparent density maximized thermal shock resistance and flexural strength. With a finer aggregate sizing, thermal shock resistance and flexural strength peaked at a pitch level greater than that producing the highest baked apparent density, so maximum values require more pitch than probably practical for full-size anodes.