Effects of a pulsating electric current on the physicomechanical properties of copper powder

1. It is shown that copper powder can be produced by electrolysis with a periodic current and that such a process has distinct advantages compared with dc deposition. Changing the parameters of the periodic current enables, other things being equal, the apparent density and particle size distribution of the powder to be regulated within wide limits. 2. It was established that raising the value of pulse spacing factor markedly increases the apparent density of copper powder, reduces its particle size, and increases the fine fraction content of the powder and its uniformity compared with powder produced by dc electrolysis. 3. A fine copper powder suitable for direct use without additional milling can be produced by deposition with a periodic current at pulse spacing factor values ranging from three to 10. To obtain maximum current efficiency, the electrodeposition of fine copper powders with a periodic current should be performed at low pulse spacing factor values (q≤4) and high frequencies (f≥4) or at large pulse spacing factors (q≥4) and low frequencies (f≤1).