Method and apparatus for electrochemical processing

An improved arrangement for electrochemical processing of an elongated flexible metallic substrate in an electrolytic bath comprising:

• (a) means to pass a longitudinally extended metallic workpiece having at least one surface to be processed through a containment means for a body of electrolytic solution to which solution the surface to be processed is exposed,
• (b) at least one electrode mounted closely adjacent the pass line of said metallic workpiece within the containment means,
• (c) at least one unitary dielectric surface contact separating means extending at least transversely across the surface to be processed of said longitudinally extended metallic workpiece and having a height measured perpendicular to the workpiece surface greater than the arcing distance between the workpiece and the electrode,
• (d) said dielectric surface contact separating means taking the form of an open web, plastic mesh having its outer surface spaced a distance from the electrode surface greater than the arcing distance and
• (e) said dielectric surface contact separating means being compatible with an electrolytic solution and having a heat deflection temperature exceeding the elevated temperature of the electrolytic solution.

An improved arrangement for electrochemical processing of an elongated flexible metallic substrate in an electrolytic cleaning bath comprising:

• (a) means to pass a longitudinally extended metallic workpiece having at least one surface to be cleaned through a containment means for a body of electrolytic cleaning solution to which solution the surface to be processed is exposed,
• (b) at least one electrode mounted closely adjacent the pass line of said metallic workpiece within the containment means,
• (c) means to heat and maintain the electrolytic cleaning solution at an elevated temperature,
• (d) at least one unitary dielectric surface contact separating means extending transversely across the surface to be processed of said longitudinally extended metallic workpiece and having an effective height measured perpendicular to the workpiece surface greater than the arcing distance between the workpiece and the electrode,
• (e) said dielectric surface contact means having a heat deflection temperature exceeding the elevated temperature of the electrolytic cleaning solution and taking the form of an open web, plastic mesh having its outer surface spaced a distance from the electrode surface greater than the arcing distance, and
• (f) wherein the open web, plastic mesh has webs between the openings which are wider than they are high.

An improved arrangement for electrochemical processing of an elongated flexible metallic substrate in an electrolytic cleaning bath comprising:

• (a) means to pass a longitudinally extended metallic workplace having at least one surface to be cleaned through a containment means for a body of electrolytic cleaning solution to which solution the surface to be processed is exposed,
• (b) at least one electrode mounted closely adjacent the pass line of said metallic workplace within the containment means,
• (c) means to heat and maintain the electrolytic cleaning solution at an elevated temperature,
• (d) at least one unitary dielectric surface contact separating means extending transversely across the surface to be processed of said longitudinally extended metallic workplace and having an effective height measured perpendicular to the workplace surface greater than the arcing distance between the work piece and the electrode,
• (e) said dielectric surface contact means having a heat deflection temperature exceeding the elevated temperature of the electrolytic cleaning solution and taking the form of an open web, plastic mesh having its outer surface spaced a distance from the electrode surface greater than the arcing distance, and
• (f) wherein the open web, plastic mesh has webs between the openings which are higher than they are wide.

An improved arrangement for electrochemical processing of an elongated flexible metallic substrate in an electrolytic cleaning bath comprising:

• (a) means to pass a longitudinally extended metallic workplace having at least one surface to be cleaned through a containment means for a body of electrolytic cleaning solution to which solution the surface to be processed is exposed,
• (b) at least one electrode mounted closely adjacent the pass line of said metallic workplace within the containment means,
• (c) means to heat and maintain the electrolytic cleaning solution at an elevated temperature,
• (d) at least one unitary dielectric surface contact separating means extending at least transversely across the surface to be processed of said longitudinally extended metallic workplace and having an effective height measured perpendicular to the workplace surface greater than the arcing distance between the workpiece and the electrode,
• (e) said dielectric surface contact means having a heat deflection temperature exceeding the elevated temperature of the electrolytic cleaning solution and taking the form of an open web, plastic mesh having its outer surface spaced a distance from the electrode surface greater than the arcing distance, and
• (f) wherein the open web, plastic mesh is combined with a thin elongated wiping blade.