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Is carbon plate used for cathodes a special type?

I need to replace some carbon plates in the cathode of a large silver recovery cell. Should I look for a special carbon "alloy" or will any carbon plate serve the purpose. Thank you

Rodolfo Jacques
recover silver electroliticaly - Mexico, DF Mexico
March 5, 2008

Preferably look for a grade of graphite (carbon) that has minimum or no metallic impurities at all since these may dissolve during idle periods or due to wear or damage and cause you contamination problems.

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
March 7, 2008

Thank you much Guillermo. Do you know of a source of this type of carbon plate. Need it to be 1.5 cm thick and about 82 cm long. The width will be be 10.5cm but it can be cut from whatever size is available.

Rodolfo Jacques
- Mexico, DF Mexico
March 11, 2008

Most shops that do EDM constantly use this type of material. EDM is known as electroerosion in Spanish. You can ask them where do they get it. Alternatively, look for graphite (grafito) in your local yellow pages or your preferred search engine. Good luck!

Guillermo Marrufo
Monterrey, NL, Mexico
April 1, 2008