GB1147481A - Improvements in method and apparatus for producing copper foil by electrodeposition - Google Patents

Abstract

1,147,481. Electrolytic production of copper foil. ANACONDA CO. March 31, 1967 [May 6, 1966], No.14762/67. Heading C7B. Copper foil is produced by electrolytically depositing copper on a moving cathodic surface formed by a titanium cylinder having a substantially non-porous and smooth outer surface, and the inner surface of which engages with a mating surface of an electrically conductive metallic structure e.g. of lead, having a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than said cylinder, which cylinder is rotated whilst partially immersed in a copper electrolyte of temperature sufficient to cause substantially complete engagement of the mating surface and the inner surface of the cylinder, and rendered cathodic with respect to counter-electrodes therein, copper deposited upon the surface of said cylinder being continuously stripped therefrom to form a copper foil. In the embodiment shown the cathodic cylinder 16 is positioned to rotate about axis 17 such that it is partially immersed in an electrolyte bath contained within tank 10, e.g. of concrete, having a lead lining 11 and containing counter-electrodes 23, 24 mounted upon vertical supports 27 and brick piers 28. The tank is provided with electrolyte inlet 13 and outlet 14 and a drain tap 15 and electrolyte is also supplied via supply pipe 42 and conduit 39 to distribution compartment 40 of the distribution manifold 36 from where it is delivered via discharge sub-compartments 41 to the inter-electrode spaces 25, 26. The copper foil 30 is stripped from the cylinder 16 and wound into a coil 32 about core 33. Rotation of the cathodic cylinder 16 and coil 32 is produced by sprocket chains 19 and 35 driven by drive shaft 22. The cathodic cylinder may comprise a lead cylinder containing three web spiders each having six spokes, the outer surface of the lead mating with the inner surface of the titanium cylinder Figs. and 3 (not shown).