We are pleased to announce the successful commissioning of three Carbon Test Equipment units at Aluminium Company of Egypt (Egyptalum), the sole primary aluminium manufacturer in Egypt.
This commissioning was carried out as part of Egyptalum’s ongoing commitment to strengthening quality control and laboratory capabilities in carbon anode production. Egyptalum’s laboratory has been equipped with R&D Carbon Test Equipment for more than 35 years and continues to upgrade its facilities to remain at the highest level of quality.
The following equipment was installed and commissioned on site:
Enhancing Carbon Quality Control
The Core Drilling Machine (RDC-157) is specifically designed to ensure correct core sampling in carbon electrode quality control, eliminating errors caused by improper drilling methods. Its controlled, motor‑driven drilling system, with adjustable pressure and speed, ensures the preparation of standardized cores (50 mm diameter, approximately 250 mm length) making test results reliable and comparable.
The Ramming Behaviour (RDC-194) determines the optimal ramming temperature window of cathode ramming paste by automatically measuring compaction behaviour at different paste temperatures. By combining controlled ramming, real‑time height measurement, and integrated software analysis, it ensures reliable paste characterization and reproducible sample preparation for both density and shrinkage testing (with RDC-195 Paste Shrinkage equipment delivered simultaneously).
The Paste Shrinkage (RDC-195) measures the dimensional changes of cathode ramming paste during baking, a critical factor for ensuring long and disturbance‑free cell operation. The paste cylinder is initially prepared with the RDC-194 apparatus, the automatic ramming device delivered simultaneously to Egyptalum and then baked with the RDC-195 Paste Shrinkage instrument. By recording paste expansion and shrinkage up to 950 °C under controlled conditions, it accurately determines paste shrinkage as a percentage of the initial sample length.
Successful Installation and Training
The commissioning process included equipment installation, calibration, functional testing, and on‑site training of Egyptalum’s laboratory technician and operators. This training ensured that operators are fully familiar with the operation, preventive maintenance, and interpretation of test results for each unit.
Strengthening the Partnership
This project reflects the strong collaboration between R&D Carbon and Egyptalum, as well as a shared commitment to advancing best practices in carbon testing and process optimization. R&D Carbon thanks Egyptalum for their trust and cooperation and looks forward to supporting them with reliable testing solutions and technical expertise in the future.
