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We use platinized titanium as cathode, some use carbon or copper. How come?


Q. I would like to know the basic concept or theories & principle behind the use of different cathode materials. In our company, during de-flashing of products at the plating line the strips undergo de-flashing. The de-flash cathode plate we use is platinized titanium plate.

How come it is platinized titanium? Why not stainless steel or other materials? Does that affect the chemical reaction during electrolysis? What happens if stainless steel is used as an alternative?

Our de-flash chemical is an alkaline (potassium hydroxide solution) type.

Best regards,

Michael Andrew Tongson
Semiconductor, Solder plate Engineer - Laguna, Philippines
2005


A. Hello,
Because stainless steel can dissolve in the solution and because it doesn't carry the current so good. When you use platinized titanium and carbon anodes they will not dissolve in solution. I use stainless steel in our electropolish solution.
Regards,
Anders Sundman
Anders Sundman
4th Generation Surface Engineering
Consultant - Arvika,
Sweden



A. Hello Michael,
Actually you can also use stainless steel 316 plate as anode ^ cathode? in electrolytic de-flash. Other options are pure Nickel plates or Steel plates plated with a very thick layer of Nickel. Proper maintenance of the anode contact should be an SOP to ensure good current flow using high current density.
Germie Maravilla
- Laguna, Philippines


A. If the platinized titanium is actually being used as a cathode and not as an anode, then it seems like a much less expensive material such as 316 stainless steel would work just as well in a KOH solution. However, as a previous respondent pointed out, there needs to be enough cross-sectional area to carry the current without creating a high electrical resistance.
Lyle Kirman
consultant - Cleveland Heights, Ohio


A. Hi. I think Germie made a typo calling his electrode the 'anode'; I believe he meant 'cathode'. So I think Lyle has it exactly right. KOH does not significantly attack stainless steel; as long as it is not the anode.
Luck & Regards,
pic of Ted Mooney
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey




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