Thermal shock behaviour of industrial carbon anodes

Abstract

Thermal shock resistance of industrial carbon anodes was studied from both the direct thermal shock test and indirect measurements of thermal shock resistance parameters derived from thermal and mechanical properties. The direct thermal shock test was conducted using the so-called arc discharge technique. In conjunction with finite element and fracture mechanics analysis, the thermal shock fracture initiation and crack propagation behaviour of carbon anodes were characterised in the thermal shock tests. The thermal shock test results were correlated with the thermal shock resistance parameters derived from thermal and mechanical properties. It was found that increased extent of non-linear stress–strain behaviour, which can be described by a lower brittleness function, χ, and a higher γWOF/γi ratio, leads to significantly higher thermal shock crack propagation resistance.