Aluminium Cathode & Ferroalloy Carbon · 1700–2200°C Calcined
电煅无烟煤 · TaiXi Anthracite, Premium Grades
Premium electrically calcined anthracite for aluminium smelter cathode blocks, ferroalloy tap-hole filling and premium steel recarburizing. Calcined at 1700–2200°C in vertical shaft electric furnaces, achieving resistivity 550–750 ohm·mm²/m. Four grades from ECA92 to ECA95.
Electrically Calcined Anthracite (ECA) is anthracite coal that has been heat-treated at 1700–2200°C in vertical shaft electric furnaces. The high calcination temperature partially graphitizes the carbon structure — reducing electrical resistivity to the target range of 550–750 ohm·mm²/m and increasing fixed carbon content to 92–95%.
Global Vista's ECA is produced from TaiXi (太西) anthracite coal, internationally recognized for its naturally low ash content and low sulphur. Raw coal is processed by floatation before calcining to further reduce impurities. The result is a premium carbon material suitable for the most demanding metallurgical applications.
ECA's primary application is as an ingredient in aluminium smelter cathode blocks. It is also used as tap-hole filling material in special ferroalloy furnaces and as a premium recarburizer in high-grade steel production. ECA costs 30–50% more than gas calcined anthracite (GCA) because of the higher electricity consumption during calcination, but delivers performance characteristics GCA cannot match.
* Premium aluminium-grade specifications with controlled iron (Fe ≤ 0.5%) and silicon (Si ≤ 1.0%) impurities available on request, typically at +$50–100/MT premium. Standard sizes 1–5mm 90% min; custom sizes 3–8mm, 4–10mm, 1–10mm available.
Standard
Workhorse size for aluminium cathode mix and recarburizing. 90% min yield.
Most common
Medium
Ferroalloy tap-hole filling and submerged-arc furnace ramming.
For: ferroalloy
Coarse
Cathode paste blends requiring controlled grain orientation.
For: cathode paste
Mixed
Cost-effective option when wider sieve tolerance is acceptable.
For: cost-sensitive use
ECA vs GCA — which is right for you? ECA is required when low resistivity (< 750 ohm·mm²/m) is essential — primarily aluminium cathode and electric-arc furnace tap-hole applications. GCA is sufficient for standard steel mill recarburizing and costs 30–50% less. The choice comes down to your end-use electrical requirements.
Primary application. ECA mixed with coal-tar pitch is baked at 1100°C to form the cathode lining of aluminium electrolytic cells. The low resistivity is essential for cell efficiency.
Spec: ECA94/95, Fe ≤ 0.5%, 1–5mm and 4–10mm
Used as ramming and tap-hole filling material in submerged-arc furnaces producing FeSi, FeMn, SiMn and FeCr. High-temperature stability and low resistivity required.
Spec: ECA93/94, 3–8mm
For steel grades requiring low-sulphur, low-resistivity carbon addition. Alternative to GPC where ECA's lower price + good performance is acceptable.
Spec: ECA94/95, 1–5mm
Used as a cost-effective substitute for CPC in foundry recarburizing where the application allows.
Vs CPC: See recarburizer guide
Component in carbon bricks for blast furnace hearth and ladle linings where low resistivity is required.
Selected high-purity ECA grades are used in chlor-alkali cells and other electrochemical applications requiring conductive, chemically stable carbon.
F.C., V.M., Ash, S, Moisture, Resistivity, Fe, Si per lot.
SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek or CIQ pre-shipment.
Supplier certificate for TaiXi anthracite source coal.
Per-lot four-probe resistivity measurement to confirm calcination temperature achieved.
Tianjin Xingang · Qingdao · Lianyungang
1MT jumbo bags standard. 25kg PP bags available. Bulk vessel for orders ≥ 2000 MT.
Rotterdam, Hamburg (aluminium); Kwangyang, Mizushima (steel); Bahrain, UAE (smelters)
T/T 30/70 or irrevocable L/C at sight. USD / EUR / JPY.
15–25 days from order confirmation to vessel sailing.
ECA is anthracite coal heat-treated at 1700–2200°C in vertical shaft electric furnaces. The high temperature partially graphitizes the carbon structure, reducing resistivity to 550–750 ohm·mm²/m and increasing F.C. to 92–95%. Used as raw material in aluminium cathode blocks, ferroalloy tap-hole filling, and premium recarburizing.
Both are calcined anthracite, but heat treatment differs. GCA is calcined at 1200–1400°C in gas-fired furnaces. ECA is calcined at 1700–2200°C in electric furnaces — the higher temperature partially graphitizes the carbon, giving ECA lower resistivity and higher F.C. ECA costs 30–50% more than GCA but is required for aluminium cathode and electrical-grade applications.
ECA92, ECA93, ECA94, ECA95 (F.C. 92/93/94/95% min). All use TaiXi anthracite, achieve 550–750 ohm·mm²/m resistivity, sulphur ≤ 0.2%. Standard size 1–5mm 90% min. Premium aluminium-grade with controlled metal impurities (Fe, Si) available on request.
(1) Aluminium smelter cathode blocks — primary application; (2) Ferroalloy tap-hole filling for SAF producing FeSi/FeMn/SiMn; (3) Premium steel recarburizing; (4) Carbon brick refractories.
2026 FOB China: ECA92 $650–800/MT, ECA93 $700–850/MT, ECA94 $750–900/MT, ECA95 $800–950/MT. Premium aluminium-grade with controlled Fe/Si may add $50–100/MT.
Trial orders from 25 MT (one 20ft container). Production orders typically 100–500 MT. Bulk vessel shipments for aluminium plants ≥ 2000 MT.
Specify grade (ECA92/93/94/95), size, quantity and destination port. Response within one business day.
Lower-temperature anthracite recarburizer. 30–50% cheaper than ECA, suitable for standard steel mill use.
View product →Anode-grade and recarburizer-grade petroleum coke. Alternative anode mix component.
View product →ECA is used as tap-hole filling in the FeSi production process — see the full ferrosilicon guide.
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