Electrolytic Copper Powder
Process
A process for production of electrolytic copper powder for Carbon brush, Welding electrodes, Bearings etc.
Uses
Used in the manufacture of bearing, bushes, electric contacts, electronic components and high conducting sintered parts. Besides it finds its application in production of printing inks, as a constituent for welding electrode, dispersion strengthened alloys and infiltrants.
Salient Features
Copper powder is made using pure copper metal as anode and stainless steel as cathode in the electrolyte consisting of copper sulphate solution and sulphuric acid together with additive. The process does not require
any mechanical scrapper to remove the powder from the cathode and uses a cheaper reducing agent for annealing the powder.
It permits the use of copper scrap also for production of copper powder. The process is simple, easy to operate, economical and capable of propducing powder in any quantities large or small of P /M grade.
Environmental Considerations
Treatment of effluent is necessary before the Disposal
Scale of Development
5 Kg/day
Commercialisation Status
The process has been licensed to three parties
Major Raw Materials
- Copper metal of electrolytic grade /Copper scrap,
- Sulphuric acid (Commercial grade)
Major Plant Equipment/Machinery
- Electrolytic tank,
- Filter/Centrifuage,
- Dryer,
- Ball Mill,
- Pusher type muffle furnace and
- Sieve shaker
Techno-Economics
For 90 Tons/ annum production Project Cost: Rs. 50.0 lakhs
Working capital required
50 Lakhs Net Profit: Rs. 16.00 Lakhs ROI : 32%
Technology Package
- Process know-how
- Details of equipment
- Plant lay-out
- Quality assurance methods. Assistance in setting up the plant on separate terms and conditions.
Released Through
NML
For further information please contact
Director
National Metallurgical Laboratory
Jamshedpur-831 007, India
