Mechanically stable insoluble titanium-lead anodes for sulfate electrolytes

Different formulations of a new material to be used as an insoluble anode for copper electrowinning, a Ti-Pb composite, were investigated for both mechanical and electrochemical properties. Mechanical and metallographic characteristic tests, as well as short-term deposition tests were used to study the effect of the Ti/Pb ratio on anode performance. Yield strength and elastic modulus, obtained through tensile testing, significantly exceed that of lead. Metallographic procedures were used to assess the uniformity of lead distribution in the material, as well as porosity, which would be decreased below 1 % for most of the compositions under study. Short-term deposition tests were used to determine power consumption, deposit quality current efficiency and weight loss characteristics of the new anode material. The material with only 30 vol.% lead shows approximately the same electrochemical performance as a pure lead anode, but has much higher mechanical properties which prevent warping and extend the lifetime of the anode.