Design of an electrolytic cell for the application of metal coatings

Abstract

In this research, the design of a new laboratory cell configuration for the application of metallic electrolytic coatings such as: electroplating, chrome plating, copper plating, anodizing, among others. For the design of this cell, variables with specific ranges such as: a volume between 100 and 500 ml of the electrolytic solution, a cathode size between 0.1 and 0.33 dm² of the exposed area, anodes between 1 and 2 times the cathode area, were defined. A current source with a maximum density of 9 A/dm². Was adapted to the cell, in addition, it presents a variation in the distance between anode and cathode by means of sliding guides to optimize the investigation processes. The container where the electrolytic solution is deposited, in the cell is made of Pyrex type refractory and its cover was made of ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) to avoid deterioration due to the effects of corrosion due to electrolytic solutions. For the positioning of the electrodes, it was designed an electrode holder (anode holder and cathode holder) with interchangeable characteristics for multiple anodes and cathodes as required by experimentation. To validate the proper behavior of the cell, a Zinc coating on 1020 steel was deposited, obtaining a homogeneous and continuous electrozinc coating. The electrocoating cell allows to experiment with different types of substrates such as steels, aluminum or titanium alloys, among others, in final industrial applications or in pre-processes.