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Titanium anode basket life in copper sulphate bath

Dear All,I'm a PCB shop process engineer recently I found few titanium basket in copper bath no copper consumption ,I checked all point contacts properly but some was no copper or a little copper consumption after one week , we replaced a new one and it became normal condition 100 mm consumption per one week,Did titanium basket have the life in copper sulphate [on eBay or Amazon]bath? and how long we have to replace them? why did only a few baskets but not all baskets,they installed in the same time (5-year passed), but was not the same life? if titanium didn't have the life issue, what is the possible root cause of my question ? Thanks

Simon Lee
Process Engineer - Taiwan
2006

Because you rectified the problem with different or new anode baskets, the problem must have been in the baskets. I know you said you checked all connections, but sometimes the hook to basket weld cracks, and you loose some connection there. If the baskets are true titanium, they should last well over 5 years. I have heard a few cases in the past where titanium clad baskets were ending up in shops, which were not what my customers ordered. The only time I had to replace Ti baskets is when the hooks broke off, or cracks appeared as mentioned above. The chloride ion concentration in the bath facilitates proper anode erosion, but that didn't seem to be a factor of concern. You could always do a conductivity test from hooks to top, middle, and bottom of the baskets in question. If there is a large voltage drop, you have connection failure somewhere. Good luck to you.

Mark Baker
process engineer - Malone, New York
2006

The other possible cause that has not already been mentioned is a case of the basket passivating. Passive titanium has a much higher resistance and consequently will not pass nearly as much current as a properly functioning basket. If passive the basket should be pickled in an acidic solution.

Gene Pacman
- Great Neck, New York
2006

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Mark , Gene
Thanks for your kindly help to answer my question

Mark
if we used pulse rectifier for copper plating , any others root cause you had concerned that will affect the basket life or conductivity except hook broken

Gene
What acidic solution you recommended , sulfuric acid , nitric acid or hydrochloride acid and how many percentage solution will be properly

Simon Lee
- Taiwan
2006

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Hi Simon,
Pulse rectification should not have any effect on the life of the baskets. Have you examined the hook to basket connection and had the conductivity test done yet? That should tell you something.

Mark Baker
Process Engineer - Syracuse, New York
2006