Platinum foil coated anodes

For some applications the electrolytic platinum is not stable enough and only a platinum foil gives the right result. The platinum foil can be applied in different layer thicknesses, from 3 µm.

In this process, the Platinum is standard applied by means of spot welding. ME-Metals & Technologies has developed a unique method in which the Pt foil is applied by means of a hand-roll seam machine. More contact surface, lower current densities and a lower temperature development are advantages that ensure a better current distribution over the anode, and therefore a longer service life of the relevant anode.

The Pt foil anodes are used, among other things, in the automotive industry for the chrome plating of plastic parts.

Interested in this special industry? Please contact us to discuss the possibilities.

Titanium coated lead anodes

The main disadvantage of the standard lead anodes is the Pb sludge, the lead sludge, which is released at the back of the anode, whereby the released lead contaminates the bath. This has a major influence on the condition of the bath in question. 

ME-Metals & Technologies has recently developed a method in which a combination of lead and titanium is used. A titanium strip is mounted at the back, which means that much less sludge is created and the bath remains in good condition for longer. Unfortunately, this process cannot yet be performed on all lead anodes, but developments follow each other quickly.

The first tests are currently being carried out in practice to assess the service life of the anode. If you are also interested in doing a test, please contact us. We would be happy to discuss the options for using titanium-Pb anodes together with you.

Zinc is a widely used soluble anode. It is used for galvanizing objects to obtain a coating that is highly resistant to corrosion.

An important process is electrolytic galvanizing, EGL. The main application is the galvanizing of steel strip, especially for the automotive industry. The electrochemical process creates a good bond.

Another application is not electrolytic, but is popularly referred to as dip galvanizing. In this process, zinc is dissolved outside the process bath and pumped through the process bath and kept to specification. The steel strip is pulled through a bath with dissolved zinc and in this way zinc precipitates on the steel strip. This galvanized material is mainly used for the white goods industry.

Zinc is available in various sizes and shapes:

Zinc balls
For smaller applications, in smaller baths, zinc balls are used. The zinc content of these balls is >99.995%. The zinc balls are available in diameters of 40 and 50 mm, in packs of 25 kg.

Zinc plates
The standard dimensions of zinc plates are 600x200mm and 800x200mm. The standard thickness is 10 mm, other dimensions are available on request. The zinc content of these zinc plates is >99.995%.

These zinc anodes are made from rolled or cast material. Normally the zinc anodes are hung on a hook. We can provide the holes in the zinc and possibly also supply you with the hooks.

It is recommended to use PP bags, for better filtration and to prevent small particles from floating around in the bath and settling on the product.

Nowadays, insoluble titanium anodes are usually used for the electrolytic zinc process. These titanium anodes are provided with our MEMOX mixed oxide coating. We are happy to advise you based on our many years of experience.

Pure Tin anodes are very suitable for technical electrolytic coatings. An important application of Tin is the electrolytic tin plating of steel strip, ETL. Tinned steel strip is used for the tin industry. Another application is electronics, where current contacts are tinned. 

Tin is available as round balls, plates or in other sizes:

Tin balls
The Tin content in Tin balls is 99.85% to 99.9%. The standard size of these Tin balls is Ø15mm.

Tin plates
Our flat Tin anodes are made from primary Tin, ie from “non-recycled” raw material. The Tin content in flat Tin anodes is 99.85% to 99.9%. Also available are anodes with max. 100 ppm and 50 ppm “lead-free” Tin, in dimensions 100x10mm, 100x20mm and 200x10mm (+/- 2 mm).

Other dimensions Tin balls and Tin plates are available on request. The packaging depends on the type and the desired quantity.

We recommend the use of a PP bag for filtration.

Nickel is an important soluble anode and is available in multiple sizes, types and alloys. In addition to Nickel anodes, we also offer Nickel constructions, which are used as auxiliary anodes. These specific constructions are built according to customer drawing.

Nickel S rounds
These well-known Nickel rounds have been specially developed for use in Nickel chlorine-free baths, for rapid deposition in electronics or connectors. The Nickel content of these S rounds is > 99.95%. Dimensions of these rounds are approx. Ø20 x 15 mm.

S Nickel pellets
Due to the variation in diameter, the pellets perfectly fill our titanium anode baskets. Even in the smaller baskets, no so-called bridges are formed and a constant anodic surface is guaranteed. The Nickel content of these pellets is > 99.95%. The dimensions of the pellets vary between 6 and 14 mm.

Nickel Plates
Nickel plates are used as an anode for electrolytic deposition and are supplied to customer specification. The standard thickness of these plates is 10 mm, the Nickel content is > 99.98%. 

Nickel squares
The Nickel squares are cut from the Nickel plates / strips. Nickel squares are used in titanium baskets with sufficient width and depth to prevent bridges. The Nickel content is > 99.98%. Nickel squares are available in sizes 25x25mm and 50x50mm.

For all different dimensions we advise to use a PP anode bag. All dimensions are available in a pack of 25 kg, other quantities per pack are available on request.

Nickel constructions
Nickel constructions are used as auxiliary anode. Do you have specific designs? ME-Metals & Technologies designs, produces and supplies Nickel constructions according to your design.

Lead anodes are used, among other things, for hard chrome plating. They are available in various designs and dimensions, round rod or round tube (Ø40mm / Ø50mm) and rectangular (profiled, 10x50mm). Most companies have their own standard anode. For other applications, such as the chrome plating of large shafts, anodes are custom made.

Lead anodes are usually provided with a copper or titanium hook. Alternatively, a hole can be drilled or the tube can be pressed flat. We make this choice in consultation with our customers.

Lead anodes & the environment
Due to increasing environmental standards, the use of lead anodes is not recommended. For the time being, there is no ban on the use of lead anodes, but the costs of disposing of the lead-contaminated chromium baths are increasing. The contamination of lead anodes usually occurs at the back of the anode, where the lead flash takes care of the contamination.

ME-Metals & Technologies offers two alternatives to standard lead anodes:

• The first alternative are platinized MEPLA anodes; the prices for a platinum-plated anode are higher, but the pollution and the work involved in the disposal of the lead-contaminated baths is less.
• The second alternative is a titanium/lead anode, based on a titanium anode, on which a Pb strip is mounted.

We would be happy to discuss the options for testing these new anodes with you.

Together we ensure a better environment!

Copper is applied to various objects, often with different applications:

• On decorative objects, to achieve a beautiful, often high-gloss surface, the so-called decorative copper plating.
• As an extra bond for further galvanic coatings, eg on aluminium, lead or tin.
• As an improvement in current conductivity; this method of copper plating is also called technical copper plating.

Below is an overview of the soluble copper anodes that we supply.

Copper Strips / Plates
The copper strips are often used for small applications, such as laboratory glasses. Our standard dimensions for this application are 4 x 80 x 180mm.

Copper anode plates are available in various sizes. We supply these as standard sheet or according to your drawing, possibly provided with additional bores and connections.

Please contact us to discuss the possibilities. We are also happy to provide you with advice.

Copper anodes for cyanidic copper baths – EL
Oxygen-free copper balls are dissolved in a copper sulphate acid process bath. The copper content is > 99.99%.

The copper balls are available in diameters from 15 to approx. 60 mm and are placed in rectangular or round titanium anode baskets, depending on the dimensions. Thanks to the round shape, the circulation of the copper solution is very homogeneous, so that no so-called bridges are formed in the baskets.

Copper balls for copper sulphate baths
The copper content of these copper balls is > 99.9% and the phosphorus content is 0.04%-0.06%. This alloyed copper is used for a shiny copper coating or as an underlayer for a nickel layer.

Copper cut pieces / squares
The cutting pieces are standard available in dimensions in 12x20mm. The squares are available in 25x25mm and 50x50mm.

The copper anodes above are usually used in titanium baskets, for which we advise to provide these baskets with PP anode bags. The standard packaging is 25kg. You can of course contact us for supplying deviating quantities per package and other dimensions. We like to think along with you.