Description 

Aluminum Cathode is specially used for zinc electro-wining where the cathodes are installed in electrolytic cell to form pairs with Lead anodes. Voltage is applied across the anode-cathode pair to stimulate zinc ions to get electrons and deposited on the cathode surface. Zinc loaded cathodes are periodically stripped.

Aluminum cathode consist of aluminum base sheet (rolled 1070 aluminum sheet, surface roughness Ra≤3 mm), conducting bar (extruded and machined to specific dimension), Al-Cu copper contactor (Cu-Al composite explosion welding) and hangers (for lifting purpose). Some improvements have been made on blank material, cathode stripping port, edge strip assembly and welding method to ensure its superior quality and reliable performance. Average service lifetime of the aluminum cathode is about 18 months, aluminum consumption of each ton zinc production is 1.4-1.8kg.

A shorter loading and unloading period of aluminum cathode for higher productivity is largely related to the cathode quality itself but also to the cathode stripping method. Inappropriate cathode stripping design damages the aluminum cathode plate, the sealing of ABS insulator and edge strips as well as stripping cutter. To increase the availability of aluminum cathode and stripping machine, Metalcess can design aluminum cathode to suit for stripping machine and provide stripping machine and aluminum cathode for upgrading.