Abstract: A lifting adaptor configured to lift a graphite electrode includes a main body having a threaded end to secure the lifting adaptor to threads of the graphite electrode, and a lifting component coupled to the main body opposite the threaded end to lift the graphite electrode. The threaded end of the main body may comprise a non-graphite material with a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) similar to Invar, within +/?0 to 1 (?m/(m K)) over a range from room temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Abstract: A lift plug for lifting a graphite electrode includes a main body and an insert coupled to one end of the main body, with the insert configured to mate with a graphite electrode to secure the lift plug to the graphite electrode. The lift plug also includes a lifting component coupled to the main body opposite the insert to lift the graphite electrode. The insert comprises a non-graphite material with a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) similar to graphite, such that the lift plug expands at a similar rate as the graphite electrode when heated so as to prevent locking at a joint between the lift plug and the graphite electrode.