Electrodeposition process using a bipolar activating medium

Abstract

Abstract A bipolar activating medium having a metallic surface through which protrudes a plurality of small, dynamically hard, nonconductive particles held in spaced relationship to one another is insulated from any direct electrical contacts and is continuously moved under pressure against a cathodic surface being subjected to electrodeposition of metal from aqueous or low boiling electrolytes. The dynamically hard particles repetitively contact the electrodeposit at extremely short time intervals generating new surface defect sites and increasing the areas available for nucleation while the surface of the activating medium in the zone adjacent the cathodic surface acts as an anode. As the activating medium moves, that portion which acted as an anode reverts to act as a cathode while a fresh portion of the activating medium becomes anodic as it approaches the cathodic workpiece. In the zone of influence of the anode, the activating medium picks up a deposit of metal and an equal amount of metal dissolves from the portion of the activating medium which is in the zone of influence of the cathode thereby insuring an adequate supply of metal ions immediately adjacent the cathodic workpiece.

Inventors

• 👤 Steve Eisner

Bibliographic Details