Evaluation of Electrolytically Manufactured Copper Foils Properties

This paper deals with electrolytically manufactured copper foils prepared under different manufacturing conditions. The main goal is to evaluate mechanical and electrical properties concerning the further use of foils for flexible applications in the electronics industry. Four samples of copper foil were prepared using an electrolytic manufacturing process, with different compositions of the electrolyte ($\mathrm{Cu}^{2+} = 50g/1$, $\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{SO}_{4}=70g/1$, $\mathrm{C}_{\mathrm{additives}}=0,5m1/1$, and $\mathrm{Cu}^{2+}=50g/1$, $\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{SO}_{4}=70g/1$, $\mathrm{C}_{\mathrm{additives}}=1m1/1$) and different properties of cathodes (shiny stainless steel and roughened stainless steel, sanded with 1000 grit sandpaper). The current density was 1 $\mathrm{A/dm}^{2}$. The mechanical properties like elongation at break, modulus of elasticity in tension, tensile strength, and hardness were evaluated. The electrical conductivity of manufactured copper foils was also evaluated. The results show that the properties of copper foils were affected not only by changes in electrolyte composition (concentration of additives), but also by the roughness of cathodes (the higher roughness increased the effective surface of the cathode). The electrolytically prepared copper foils were compared with commercially available foil prepared by the metallurgical rolling process. The commercial sample exhibited similar electrical conductivity, lower hardness and higher modulus of elasticity in tension.