Influence of coke structure on the properties of the carbon-graphite artefact

The properties of the graphite artefact are influenced by many properties of the coke filler which are nebulously referred to as ‘coke structure’ or ‘coke quality’. Unfortunately, no one quality of a coke dominates the properties of the final graphite due to the inter-property interactions which take place during processing through to graphitization. Therefore, the influence and interactions of the following coke properties on the quality of the final graphite will be discussed: macro- (or aspect ratio) and microstructure; density, pore size and shape as a function of particle size; real density; particle strength; the intrinsic particle expansion and the puffing character (or sulphur level) of the coke. In addition, some discussion concerning the effect of feedstock type and the conversion of the feedstocks to form green coke followed by processing to calcined coke will be presented.