The process of producing industrial silicon is carried out continuously in a semi-closed electric furnace. The current required to supply melting heat from the transformers enters the furnace through a graphite electrode.
During the melting process, the heat generated by the current through the electrode and the resistance to charge and electric arc, heats the contents of the furnace to more than 2000 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, silica is reduced by carbon to produce a melt of industrial silicon and carbon monoxide (CO 2 ). In this way, the electrode is consumed over time during the melting operation.
The requirements and composition of the electrode content are as follows:
| Specific resistance | Tensile strength | Rupture strength | Ash content | Bulk density |
| ≤45μΩ.m | ≥25kgf/cm2 | ≥3.5MPa | ≤3.5 | ≥1.56g/cm |
- Graphite electrodes should have a diameter of 960 mm and a height of 220 cm.