Office of Strategic Plans, Ural Mining and Mettallurgical Company, Verkhnyaya Pyshma, Russia

A. B. Lebed, Chief Specialist

Research Center, “Uralelectromed” JSC, Verkhnyaya Pyshma, Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russia
N. E. Agarova, Processing Engineer
L. M. Yakovleva, Head of Laboratory
E. E. Sokolovskaya, Processing Engineer

Cathode current density, composition, temperature, electrolyte mixing, intensification period and cathode material make a significant influence on the specific surface, bulk density of copper dendrite electrolytic powder and, finally, on the oxygen content. Examples of influence of these parameters on the given characteristics are briefly considered along with influence of the following processing of copper powder (centrifugation, drying, grinding) on these characteristics. There are shown the dependencies of a specific surface area of electrolytic powder (particle size of more than 63 mkm) from the concentration of sulphuric acid, chloride ions and oxygen content. There are given the examples of electrolysis regime (electrolyte composition, intensification period) for obtaining of electrolytic powder (coarseness of more than 100 mkm and more than 63 mkm) with specific range of values of the specific surface. There is considered the influence of stabilization of oxygen concentration in copper electrolytic powder within the regulations, established by the State Standard and consumers, with the range of required values. There are briefly described the main substances, which act as stabilizers of finely dispersed surface of electrolytic low dispersed copper powders. There are given the results of analyses of oxygen content (the range of minimal and maximal values) in electrolytic copper powders with the particles size of more than 100 mkm and more than 63 mkm. These powders were obtained in industrial conditions and solution treated stabilizers with various concentration, such as: naphthenate soap and its analogue, LIGAPHOB NF90 and “Sonkor” additives. There are briefly decrypted the main substances of these stabilizers. There are defined the positive and negative sides of stabilizers application. There are identified the most suitable stabilizers, which ensure good hydrophobic properties of the surface of copper electrolytic powder and the content of oxygen in it in compliance with requirements.

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