What is Copper Cathode? What is the Difference Between Copper Cathode and Rolled Copper?

Ⅰ. What is copper cathode?

The copper cathode is made of thick copper (containing 99% copper) as the anode, pure copper is made into thin sheets as the cathode, and the mixed solution of sulfuric acid and copper sulfate is used as the electrolyte. After electrification, copper dissolves from the anode into copper ions (Cu) and moves to the cathode. After reaching the cathode, electrons are obtained and pure copper is precipitated at the cathode.

The impurities in blister copper, such as iron and zinc, which are more active than copper, will dissolve into ions (Zn and Fe) together with copper. Since these ions are less likely to be precipitated than copper ions, the precipitation of these ions on the cathode can be avoided as long as the potential difference is properly adjusted during electrolysis. Impurities less reactive than copper, such as gold and silver, are deposited on the bottom of the cell. The copper plate produced in this way, called copper cathode, also called electrolytic copper, is of extremely high quality and can be used to make electrical products.

Ⅱ. The difference between the use and performance of rolled copper and copper cathode

Rolled copper is mainly used for cameras in flip phones and the like. copper cathode is mainly used in the manufacture of printed circuit boards. Rolled copper has better flexibility. Generally, rolled copper is used for products with bending requirements. copper cathode conducts better.

Ⅲ. The difference between the production process of rolled copper and copper cathode

1. Rolled copper production process: Rolled copper is produced by coating. Rolled copper is rolled with copper ingots, and then subjected to processes such as forging, anti-oxidation, and roughening. Compared with copper cathode, the production of rolled copper is more difficult. At present, there are only three companies in the world that can produce it in large quantities (according to relevant reports), and the ductility is better than 30%.

2. copper cathode production process: electrolysis is completed by electroplating process. copper cathode is formed by precipitation of copper ions in copper sulfate solution by electric current, and is completed after anti-oxidation and roughening treatment. It is mainly used in places that need to be shielded, such as FPC, notebook computers, tablet computers, printers, etc.

Ⅳ. The difference between the quality and use of rolled copper and copper cathode

1. Rolled copper is a copper foil obtained by extrusion. Its characteristics are: good bending resistance, but weaker conductivity than copper cathode, mainly used for cameras in flip phones and the like. From the appearance, the copper cathode is red, and the rolled copper is yellowish.

2. copper cathode, as its name implies, is to make copper ions adsorbed on the substrate by electrolysis to form copper foil, so its characteristics are: strong conductivity, but relatively weak bending resistance.

In addition, the copper cathode molecules are relatively loose and easy to break; the rolled copper molecules are compact and flexible, and the thinner the more flexible the better; the phosphorus-containing rolled copper molecules are fine, and the post-treatment electroplating appearance is bright, but the flexibility is worse than that of pure rolled copper. Rolled copper is arranged vertically, with one copper cathode stacked on top of each other.