GB733359A - Improvements in waveguide components and methods for the manufacture thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

733,359. Making articles by electrodeposition. ELLIOTT BROS. (LONDON), Ltd. May 22, 1953 [May 22, 1952], No. 13047/52. Class 41. [Also in Group XL (b)] A wave-guide component is made by forming in the surface of a block of metal open channels or recesses each of which requires to be closed by one or more additional walls to constitute a passage for use as a wave-guide, filling each channel with a core element which has previously been, or is subsequently shaped accurately on its exposed surface, depositing a layer of copper or other suitable metal electrolytically on the exposed surfaces of the block and core, and subsequently removing the core from the passages thus produced. In one example a block 2 of brass or copper (Fig. 2) is formed with grooves 3; 4 and 5, which are filled with wax or low-melting metal or alloy, the exposed surfaces of which are then accurately finished to lie in the same planes as the contiguous faces of the block 2. These faces together with the surfaces of the wax or alloy are then electroplated with copper to a suitable thickness, the wax, if employed, having been given a conductive coating. When the wax or alloy is removed by melting or dissolving, passages 6 (Fig. 3) are obtained. Parts of the block may be machined away as in Fig. 3. Examples of other designs are described. Where suitable, a channel may be filled with an accurately finished mandrel, of, for example, stainless steel, which is extracted after the plating has been completed. When wax or similar material is used the exposed surface may be made electrically conducting by coating with graphite or by depositing silver from a mixture of a silver salt and a reducing agent.