Analysis of Some Temperature Effects in the Electroforming of Iron Foil and Moulds

Abstract

With “electroforming”, metal is electrolytically deposited upon a cathode, or mandrel, of an electrolytic cell. The process is so controlled that the deposited metal can subsequently be separated from the mandrel to yield the electroformed article. First, the electroforming of iron foil (i.e. strip of thickness about 0.1 mm) is discussed. Since the thickness of the foil depends directly on the current used, and its time of passage, thinner foils cost correspondingly less than thicker gauges, unlike conventional rolling processes. Secondly, the electroforming of iron moulds is investigated. The advantages of this technique lie with the cheapness of iron and with the speed with which it can be electro-deposited. Some effects of solution temperature in the electro-forming of iron foil and moulds are analysed. The temperature distribution plays a more significant role in the electroforming of moulds.