US1978037A - Method and apparatus for electrodeposition - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for electrodeposition Download PDF

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Publication number
US1978037A
US1978037A US604932A US60493232A US1978037A US 1978037 A US1978037 A US 1978037A US 604932 A US604932 A US 604932A US 60493232 A US60493232 A US 60493232A US 1978037 A US1978037 A US 1978037A
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United States
Prior art keywords
drum
cathode
deposit
abrasive
stripping
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Expired - Lifetime
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US604932A
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English (en)
Inventor
Charles E Yates
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Anaconda Copper Mining Co
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Anaconda Copper Mining Co
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Publication date
Priority to BE395503D priority Critical patent/BE395503A/xx
Application filed by Anaconda Copper Mining Co filed Critical Anaconda Copper Mining Co
Priority to US604932A priority patent/US1978037A/en
Priority to DEA69203D priority patent/DE605474C/de
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Publication of US1978037A publication Critical patent/US1978037A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25D—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS; ELECTROFORMING; APPARATUS THEREFOR
    • C25D1/00—Electroforming
    • C25D1/04—Wires; Strips; Foils

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the continuous production of thin metallic sheets or foils by a process of electrodeposition involving the steps of plating metal 5 on a traveling cathode surface and stripping it therefrom. More particularly, the invention is concerned with a-novel method and mechanism for treating the cathode surface after stripping has been performed so that the surface is continuously renewed and may be used for long periods of time without replacement for the production of sheets or foils of high quality.
  • the new method and apparatus may be used to especial advantage in connection with the production of thin copper foils and an embodiment of the invention in a form suitable for that purpose will accordingly be described to make clear the principles of the invention.
  • lead as a cathode surface is common in all electrolytic work by reason of itsresistance to plating conditions, its cheapness, and the facility with which it may be handled and treated.
  • Other metals such as stainless steels and. their alloys, silver, copper, tantalum, etc., have been suggested to replace the lead but some of these materials are available only in cast form and it has been found impossible to obtain castings of them which are free from cavities.
  • Such of these materials as are available in sheet form present the difficulty of forming a satisfactory joint in connection with the production of a continuous Sheet lead, however, can be obtained without cavities and a satisfactory joint can made by burning.
  • Cathode surfaces made of lead, copper, silver, and possibly other metals can be used satisfactorily for a time by using stripping agents, such as iodine and mercury compounds, which are applied to the surface between stripping anddeposltion and, while these stripping agents alleviate the mechanical effect of strippin they do not prevent corrosion of the cathode surface and their use is not satisfactory for continuous longtime operation.
  • stripping agents such as iodine and mercury compounds
  • Emery cloth, sand paper, and similar abrasives have been employed in ordinary electroplating for the preparation of the cathode surface where stripping is not involved but such abrasives are not satisfactory in connection with lead cathodes used in continuous processes for various reasons. All these abrasives soon become clogged with lead and cease to be effective and in addition they tend to leave irregularities in the lead surface which are equivalent in their action on the foil produced to natural pitting.
  • the mechanism which I employ for maintaining the surface of the cathode in proper condition includes an element having a working surface which performs the two functions of abrading and burnishing or smoothing the cathode surface on which it operates and this element is so constructed that the working surface does not become clogged with the material removed from the cathode even after continuous operation over a period of months.
  • the working surface of the element consists of finely divided abrasive particles supported or embedded in a resilient silicon carbide, and these particles are of approximately 200 mesh and graded so that they are of the same size in all directions and not long and thin as might be the case if they were not subjected to the special grading operation.
  • the rubber compound employed is one which is fairly flexible and soft but without tendency to become gummy or to smear in operation. Even though vulcanized, the compound is not brittle. While varying proportions of rubber and abrasive may be employed, as, for example, about 20 percent by weight of the abrasive to percent by weight of the rubber compound, the proportions employed must be such that the compound is present in a preponderating or major amount while the abrasive is present in a minor amount. By employing such proportions, a material is produced which has a working surface in which there is enough of the, rubber compound to perform a substantial smoothing or polishing action.
  • the operating element is distinguished from abrasive wheels and other articles of that type in which rubber is employed merely as a binder for the abrasive particles and only a relatively small proportion of rubber compound is employed .and it performs no substantial smoothing action.
  • the operating element is of the traveling type and it may take various forms, such as that of a cylindrical drum, a helical strip wound on a cylindrical surface, or a traveling belt.
  • the element is carried in a floating mounting biased toward the cathode surface and bearing against the latter with the desired pressure.
  • the element is in the form of a drum or a strip wound about a cylindrical surface, the element is mounted with its axis parallel to that of the cathode surface and it rotates in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the cathode surface.
  • an element of the belt type it is preferably mounted so that it moves parallel to the axis of rotation of the cathode surface.
  • the element In 'anyform of the element, it is driven at a surface speed substantially higher than the speed of the cathode surface, and in its movement, the element removes the film of oxide on the cathode surface and a thin film of metal, this function being performed by the abrasive particles.
  • the rubber mounting of those particles contacting 'with the cathode surface smooths and burnishes the latter so that the formation of irregularities is substantially prevented.
  • the material removed from'the cathode surface is in the form of a light powder and with the abrasive particles distributed through the soft rubber compound, there is no tendency, as in the ordinary abrasive wheel, for the material thus removed to collect between the particles and impair the abrading action.
  • the self-cleaning action of the element probably results from the resilience of the mounting which is pressed away from the particles by contact with the cathode and when free of the cathode, springs back and forces the removed material away from the abrasive particles.
  • clogging of the working surface does not take place and the material removed from the cathodesurface remains on the operating surface of the element in powdery form and may be readily removed therefrom, for example, by a light brush. If any of this powder adheres to the cathode surface and metal is plated thereover, a pinhole develops in the deposit.
  • FIG. 1 is a view in vertical cross-section through one form of apparatus suitable for carrying on the new method
  • Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken at right angles to Fig. 1 with certain of the parts shown in elevation;
  • Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view through a portion of the operating element illustrated in Fig. 2;
  • Fig. 4 is a view in side elevation of a modified form of apparatus,'the drum being illustrated conventionally
  • Fig. 5 is a plan view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 4;
  • Fig. 6 is a view of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 4 in end elevation with parts removed;
  • Fig. 7 is a sectional view through a portion of the apparatus shown in Figs. 4 to 6, inclusive.
  • the apparatus is shown as including an electrolytic tank 10 of any suitable or convenient-construction containing a support 11 for curved anodes 12.
  • a cathode drum 14 mounted on the shaft 13 supported, for example, on the top of the tank is a cathode drum 14, this drum being so supported that a portion of it dips beneath the level of the solution within the tank.
  • the drum hasa surface of lead which is connected tothe negative side of the. source of energy as, for example, by
  • a drum which I have found suitable for use in the production of copper foils comprises a copper framework which includes a pair of wheels, one at each end of the drum, heavy sheet copper being bolted on the outside of the wheels to close the drum structure.
  • a lead plate preferably made of lead with a small amount of antimony, such as from 4% to 6%, is then bent to proper shape and slipped endwise over the drum structure, the joint between the meeting edges of the lead plate being then filled in wi h lead by the usual burning operations.
  • the plate is preferably a rolled plate about one inch thick free from oxides and other foreign matter. After the plate has been mounted on the drum and the joint closed, the surface is turned down to a true cylinder by means of a lathe.
  • a drum 18 mounted on a shaft supported in the ends of arms' 19 pivotally mounted in any convenient manner as, for example, on a driven shaft 20 carried in fixed bearings in hangers 21, and driven by any suitable means.
  • the arms 19 are connected to a sleeve 22 through which the shaft 20 extends and attached to the sleeve and extending in a generally horizontal direction are arms 23 carrying weights 24. These weights tend to swing the arms 19 in a counterclockwise direction.
  • the supporting structure for the drum 18 is so placed that the drum bears against the surface of the cathode drum preferably at a point not far removed from the place where the moving surface of the cathode drum enters the solution.
  • the drum 18 may conveniently take-the form of a metallic tube orcore of suitable dimensions, on the outer surface of which is secured a covering 25 of soft rubber.
  • the abrasive element 26 is secured to the surface of the rubber covering by cement and, in the construction illustrated, the element has the form of a strip which is wound helically about the drum.
  • the cathode drum which I have found satisfactory in service has a substantial diameter such as 66 inches and with this, I employ a cleaning element comprising-"a drum 18 approximately 5 /2 inches in diameter'with the strip 26 laid helically with a pitch of 8 inches.
  • the rubber coating on the cleaning drum may have a thickness of inch and the strip may have a width of inch and a depth of inch.
  • the cleaning drum 18 is driven at a relatively higher surface speed, for example 3250 inches per minute, and against the direction of the drum surface, and the weights employed may, for example, be pounds.
  • the cleaning drum can be driven in any convenient manner as, for example, by means of a sprocket wheel 27 on the end of the shaft 28, the wheel being driven by a chain from a wheel on driven shaft 20.
  • the use of the abrading element 26 in the form of a strip wound helically about a drum isnot essential but provides a convenient and economical method for using the abrasive material. If desired, however, the entire surface of the drum may be covered by the abrasive compound. When a helical strip is employed, it must be prevented from swaying and, accordingly, it is best to form the strip of oblong section and apply it with its longer side againstthe rubber cushion. After the drum is provided withthe abrasive element, it is turned down so as to have a true cylindrical surface so that the drumwill run smoothly in contact with the cathode surface and not be thrown clear by eccentricities.
  • the abrasive material on the surface of the drum not only removes the oxides and other foreign matter which may have collected on the cathode surface but also removes a thin film of metal, so that the cathode presents a bright, clean, metallic surface for each deposition of metal upon it.
  • any impurities in the -metal which in the course of time would result in pitting are removed, and thus the cause of pitting is eliminated before a condition which leads to pitting has a chance to become established.
  • the abrasive particles distributed through the rubber compound serve to remove the foreign matter and the thin film of lead and the rubber mounting appears to properly limit the abrading action of the particles and to effect a smoothing or burnishing action which tends to counteract the tendency of the particles to produce an objectionable grain effect.
  • the abrasive surface or strip on the drum 18 must be kept clean to be effective, and, for this purpose, I use a brush 29 which may be conveniently mounted in supports 30 attached to the cross bar 31 extending between the arms 19. This brush merely serves to remove fine powder loosely resting on the surface of the abrasive element. Beneath the drum 18 and the brush is a receptacle 32 in which the foreign matter and lead powder removed from the cathode surface are collected.
  • the abrasive element is a belt 33 of the material previously described
  • sprocket wheels 35a, 35b mounted on shaft 36 supported in bearings in a cross bar 37 extending between arms 38.
  • the arms are pivotally mounted and weighted, the constructon being generally similar to that illustrated in Fig. 1.
  • the shafts on which the sprocket wheels are mounted are driven from a shaft 39 by bevel gearing generally designated 40, the shaft 39 being driven from shaft 20 in any convenient manner, as by a chain.
  • the abrasive belt is out of contact with the chain and passes over an idler pulley 42 adjustably mounted in an extension from the cross bar 37, this pulley permitting the belt to be kept taut at all times.
  • the arms 38 are mounted in such position that the stretch of the belt in contact with the chain is forced against the surface of the cathode drum 14 and the belt is driven across the surface at a relatively high speed.
  • the belt is continuously cleaned by means of a brush 43 attached to the cross bar 37 and bearing on the belt at a point just beyond the contact of the belt with the cathode drum.
  • the belt of rubber-abrasive compound is supported firmly in contact with the surface of the cathode drum by means of the chain and the abrasive material has the effect previously described of removing foreign matter from the surface of the drum and also of removing a thin film of the metal. Since the travel of the abrasive belt is across. the direction of movement of the cathode surface and the belt and the cathode move. at different surface speeds, the abrasive particles in the belt have little or no cumulative effect.
  • I may employ an endless chain or belt on which blocks of the abrasive material are mounted.
  • each rubber block may be convenient to secure to a metal base which can then be attached to the belt or chain in any suitable manner.
  • a belt or chain it is trained about sprocket wheels on a floating mounting and guide means may be provided for supporting that stretch of the belt carrying the blocks which contact with the cathode surface.
  • Such a support serves the same purpose as the chain used in connection with a belt made entirely of the abrasive material.
  • the blocks are employed, they are preferably bevelled along one side so that injury to the blocks and the cathodesurface will be avoided when the blocks come into contact with it.
  • the cathode surface is not only continuously kept clean but also continuously renewed, a new metallic surface being exposed to the plating solution on each revolution of the drum.
  • the surface of the drum is continuously polished and burnished so that no objectionable grain is obtained.
  • a rotating cathode drum on which metal is continuously deposited and from which the deposit is continuously stripped, and means for treating the drum surface between stripping and deposition on the surface said means including a mounting, a traveling element in the mounting having a working surface made up of abrasive particles embedded in relatively soft flexible rubber, said surface including a proportion of rubber sufficient to effect a substantial smoothing action and means for driving the element at an angle to the direction of movement of the cathode surface and at a surface speed higher than that of the cathode. 4
  • a rotating cathode drum on which metal is continuously deposited and from which the deposit is continuously stripped and means for treating the drum surface between stripping and deposition on the surface
  • said means including a mounting, a drum in said mounting carrying an element made up of abrasive material embedded in relatively soft flexible rubber, said element having sufficient rubber in its working surface to effect a substantial smoothing action means maintaining the drum with said surface of the element in contact with the cathode drum, and means for rotating the drum in said mounting at a higher surface speed than said cathode drum.
  • a method of producing a metallic sheet by electrodeposition which comprises depositing metal on a polished metallic surface, stripping the deposit from the surface, and thereafter abrading the surface, to prepare it for the reception of another deposit, by means of an element moving relative to said surface and composed of fine abrasive particles of a' substantially uniform grading distributed in a relatively minor amount through a major proportion of a soft rubber compound, the rubber compound serving to polish the abraded surface.
  • a method of producing a metallic sheet by electrodeposition which comprises depositing metal on a polished metallic surface, stripping the deposit from the surface, thereafter abrad-' ing the surface to prepare it for the reception of another deposit, by means of an element moving relatively to said surface and composed of fine abrasive particles of a substantially uniform grading distributed in a relatively minor amount through a major proportion of a soft rubber compound, the rubber compound serving to polish the abraded surface, and continuously cleaning the working surface of the'element.
  • a method of producing a metallic sheet by electrodeposition which comprises moving a cathode surface of polished lead alternately into and out of the solution in an electrolytic tank, depositing metal upon said surface during its immersion, stripping off the deposit, and continuously abrading the surface to prepare it for another deposit by means of an element moving relatively to said surface and composed of fine abrasive particles of a substantially uniform grading distributed in a relatively minor amount through a major proportion of a soft rubber compound, the rubber compound serving to polishthe abraded surface.
  • Apparatus for the electrolytic production of sheet metal which. comprises an electrolytic tank, a cathode surface-movable alternately into and out of the solution in the tank, means for depositing metal on the surface while it is immersed, said deposit being stripped from the surface when the latter is out of the solution, and means for abrading the surface from which the deposit has been stripped to prepare said surface for another deposit, said means including an operating element consisting of fine abrasive particles of substantially uniform grading distributed in a minor amount through a major proportion of a soft rubber compound, said compound serving to polish the abraded surface.
  • Apparatus for the electrolytic production of sheet metal which comprises an electrolytic tank, a cathode surface movable alternately into and out of the solution in the tank, means for depositing metal on the surface while it is immersed, said deposit being stripped from the surface when the latter is out of the solution, and means for abrading the surface from which the deposit has been stripped to prepare said surface for another deposit, said means including an operating element consisting of fine abrasive particles of substantially uniform grading distributed in a minor amount through a major proportion of asoft rubber compound, said compound serving to polish the abraded surface, and means for cleaning the working surface of said element.
  • Apparatus for electrodeposition which comprises a polished metallic cathode surface, on which metal is deposited and from which the deposit is stripped, and means for abrading said surface to prepare it for the reception of a deposit, said means including a working element consisting of fine abrasive particles of substantially uniform grading distributed in a minor amount through a major proportion of a soft rubber compound, said compound serving to polish the abraded surface, and means for moving said working element relative to said cathode surface.
  • Apparatus for electrodeposition which comprises the combination of a moving cathode surface on which metal is deposited and from which the deposit is stripped, said surface being polished, and means for abrading said surface to prepare it for another deposit, said means comprising an operating element made up of fine abrasive particles of substantially uniform grading distributed'in a minor amount through a major proportion of a soft rubber compound,'said compound serving to polish the abraded surface, means for moving said element relative to the cathode surface, and means for cleaning the surface of said element.
  • a moving cathode surface of polished metal on which metal is deposited and from which the deposit is stripped, and means for abrading said surface to prepare it for another deposit said means comprising a traveling element made up of flne abrasive. particles of substantially uniform grading homogeneously disabrading said surface to prepare it for another deposit, said means comprising a drum, a working element on thesurface of said drum consisting of fine graded abrasive particles distributed in a minor amountthrough a major proportion of a soft flexible rubber compound, said rubber compound polishing th abraded surface, and means for rotating said um while said working element is in contact with the cathode surface.
  • a moving cathode surface of polished metal on which metal is deposited and from which the deposit is stripped, and means for abrading said surface to prepare it for another deposit said means comprising a drum, a working element on the surface of said drum consisting of fine graded abrasive particles distributed in a minor amount through a'major proportion of a soft flexible rubber compound. said rubber compound polishing the abraded surface, said element being in the form of a strip wound helically about said drum, and means for rotating said drum while the working element thereon is in contact with the cathode surface.
  • apparatus for electrodeposition the combination of a moving cathode surface of polished metal on which metal is deposited and from which the deposit is stripped, and means for abrading said surface to prepare it for another deposit, said means comprising a traveling belt having a working surface made up of fine graded abrasive particles homogeneously distributed in a minor amount through a major proportion of a soft rubber compound, said compound acting to polish the abraded surface, and means for driving said belt withits working surface in contact with the cathode surface.
  • an element for treating a surface to prepare it for reception of a deposit comprising a soft rubber compound in preponderating amount and a minor proportion of fine abrasive particles of substantially uniform grading homogeneously distributed through said compound, said compound having a polishing action on the surface abraded by said particles, and means for moving said element in treated.
  • a rotating drum cathode having a surface of polished lead on which metal is deposited and from which it is stripped, and means acting on said surface after the deposit has been stripped to prepare the surface for reception of another deposit
  • said means comprising a yieldable polishing element made up of a minor proportion of abrasive particles of substantially uniform size and a major proportion of a soft rubber compound through which said particles are distributed,said compound acting to polish the sur-, face abraded by said particles, and means for moving said element in contact with and relative to said polished lead cathode surface.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Electrolytic Production Of Metals (AREA)
US604932A 1932-04-13 1932-04-13 Method and apparatus for electrodeposition Expired - Lifetime US1978037A (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
BE395503D BE395503A (ko) 1932-04-13
US604932A US1978037A (en) 1932-04-13 1932-04-13 Method and apparatus for electrodeposition
DEA69203D DE605474C (de) 1932-04-13 1933-04-09 Verfahren und Einrichtung zur kontinuierlichen Erzeugung von duennen Blechen oder Folien durch elektrolytische Ablagerung von Metall

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2433441A (en) * 1947-12-30 Electrolytic production of thin
US3151048A (en) * 1960-02-18 1964-09-29 Clevite Corp Method of making copper foil, and the apparatus therefor
US4778571A (en) * 1986-12-12 1988-10-18 Furukawa Circuit Foil Co., Ltd. Method of making electrolytic metal foil and apparatus used therefor
WO1988010327A1 (en) * 1987-06-23 1988-12-29 Olin Corporation Cathode surface treatment for electroforming metallic foil or strip
US10493589B2 (en) 2013-10-24 2019-12-03 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Apparatus for shortening the rotor blades of a turbomachine

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2433441A (en) * 1947-12-30 Electrolytic production of thin
US3151048A (en) * 1960-02-18 1964-09-29 Clevite Corp Method of making copper foil, and the apparatus therefor
US4778571A (en) * 1986-12-12 1988-10-18 Furukawa Circuit Foil Co., Ltd. Method of making electrolytic metal foil and apparatus used therefor
WO1988010327A1 (en) * 1987-06-23 1988-12-29 Olin Corporation Cathode surface treatment for electroforming metallic foil or strip
US10493589B2 (en) 2013-10-24 2019-12-03 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Apparatus for shortening the rotor blades of a turbomachine
US11117238B2 (en) * 2013-10-24 2021-09-14 Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG Apparatus for shortening the rotor blades of a turbomachine

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DE605474C (de) 1934-11-14
BE395503A (ko)

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